Advani off to a cruising start at Asian Billiards C'ship

Yangon, March 19: He has made winning a habit. And 19-time World champion Pankaj Advani stamped his authority from the very first match of the 17th Asian Billiards Championship.

Defending champion Advani kicked off his title defence with a convincing win over Yeo Teck Shin. Playing his opening match, the Bengaluru cueist, who is the only Indian in Group A, had no trouble as he outclassed Singapore's Shin 4-0 in the men's event here on Monday (March 19). Apart from Shin, Advani has been grouped with Thailand's Thawat Sujaritthurakarn and Myanmar duo Min Sithu Tun and Pauk Sa.

Multiple-time world champion Advani, who has 19 world titles to his name, barely broke a sweat as he dumped Shin with the help of a 98 break and three consecutive centuries in the best-of-seven 100-up encounter.

In Myanmar for the Asian Billiards Championship! Good luck to the entire Indian Team 👍💪🏼 😊 pic.twitter.com/c9wlvjP6wA

— Pankaj Advani (@PankajAdvani247) March 19, 2018

Meanwhile, Rupesh Shah, placed in Group C, too got off to an easy start, as the Indian came up with an identical win against Indonesia's Marlando Sihombing, but with one century and a 53 break. The other men's players participating from India are Nationals runner-up Dhvaj Haria and B Bhaskar.

Vidya, Amee notch up contrasting wins

In the women's snooker individual event, India's Vidya Pillai and Amee Kamani came up with contrasting wins against Myanmar cueists. While Pillai scored a 2-1 win against Thandar Maung, Kamani notched up facile 2-0 victory in the league stage versus Ngwe Hlaing.

Keerath Bhandaal, on the other hand, got the better of compatriot Varshaa Sanjeev 2-1 in a closely fought battle. In the under-21 snooker category, the only Indian to play on the first day was Sparsh Pherwani who defeated Myanmar's Thaw Zain Htet in the deciding frame 4-3.

(With inputs from PTI)