Mixed fortunes for Pune cueists

Mumbai, May 1 (UNI) Pune cueists experienced mixed fortunes in the Rexello Castors-Islam Gymkhana Open Handicap and Invitation Snooker Tournament, that got underway at the Islam Gymkhana today.

In the best-of-three-frames Handicap competition, Aditya Hule (+60) of PYC, Pune prevailed over Raj Khandwala 46-25, 55-20 to advance to the second round.

In contrast, Ramesh Sadarangani (+50) overcame Karan Pandya of Pune Club 61-29, 54-14 in another first round tie.

On an opening day of close encounters, Vivek Shah of Garware, Neil Gudiwala, Salim Sheikh and Neil Vithlani were taken the distance before prevailing by 2-1 verdicts.

The winner, runner-up and the semi-finalists in the Handicap competition will qualify for the elite Invitation competition that will be held from May 11 to 18.

Among the leading players in the Invitation are twice Asian champion Yasin Merchant, Ashok Shandilya, Devendra Joshi, Kamal Chawla and Rafath Habib of Railways, Dhruv Sitwala of PSPB, Sarang Shroff, Omar Balsara, Merzdi Kalyaniwala, Siddharth Parikh, and Shravan Mohta.

Handicap Results: 1st Round: Vivek Shah (Garware, +55) bt Joseph Menezes (Otters Club, +55) 54-68, 68-44 72-39; Aditya Hule (PYC Pune +60) bt Raj Khandwala (+60) 46-25, 55-20; Ramesh Sadarangani (Matunga Gymkhana +50) bt Karan Pandya (Pune Club, +60) 61-29, 54-14; Neil Gudiwala (+60) bt Hatim Bengali (Islam Gym) 49-25, 27-35, 49-40; Neil Vithlani (+30) bt Samuel Selven (+45) 96-66, 51-89, 91-65; Salim Sheikh (+60) bt Nilesh Sanghar (+60) 115-132, 99-90, 121-101.

UNI