India’s ace cueist Pankaj Advani defeated compatriot Dhruv Sitwala 6-2 to win his eighth title at the 19th Asian Billiards Championship 2022 at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall yesterday. This is Advani’s 40th international title and 8th Asian crown
The tournament saw the participation of 13 cueists representing five countries: India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and South Korea.
In the final which lasted for three and a half hours, Advani won the first frame against Sitwala, a two-time Asian Billiards champion, before following it up with a smooth century break to extend the lead to 2-0. In the third frame, Advani opened up a 84-14 lead and went up three frames to nil and resorted to white pot at 87 and positioned it well for a red in-off the spot.
Sitwala fought back and pulled one back when his famed opponent missed a red early in the frame. He came up with a 82 break to reduce the lead.
Advani won the fifth frame to establish a 4-1 lead and stormed ahead to take the sixth too.
Sitwala capitalised on a miss by his countryman to take the seventh frame before Advani re-focussed to capture the eighth frame despite an impressive break by his opponent for a 6-2 triumph.
Earlier, Advani had held off the stiff challenge of Pauk Sa of Myanmar to secure a spot in the final. He managed a 5-4 win after his opponent fought back strongly to level the match at four frames each. Advani later said that it was a strong final especially since the two players knew each other well and have met many times in several tournaments. Speaking on Asian players not quite excelling in billiards, he said, “billiards competitions are very difficult and require great concentration and patience, as well as the accumulation of experience and continuity of play, and therefore many players do not master it easily.”
The Indian star praised the organisation of the tournament, as well as the international and Asian championships hosted by Qatar during the recent period, praising the wonderful atmosphere in Doha.