Savur, Rupesh Shah storm into prequarters

Bangalore, Jan 18 (UNI) Veteran cueist Arvind Savur of Karnataka stormed into the pre-quarterfinals, while former Asian Champ Ashok Shandilya of Railways compiled a superb break of 340 in the Billiards group league of the 73rd National Billiards and Snooker Championship played at KSBA hall here today.

The 65-year-old Savur, who won the national title way back in 1967, thrashed Tarun Sarah of Bihar 748-142 to notch up his fourth win in as many matches in Group C to make it to the knockout stage, with still a match remaining.

Ashok, a former national champion, was the most impressive winner of the day, rattling the highest break in this edition so far to drub R Prabhakar of Tamil Nadu 864-176. This was his second win in as many outings in Group E.

Rupesh Shah of Gujarat also made the grade from Group D, winning all the four matches he had played so far. He beat Omar Balsara of Maharashtra 542-220. Rupesh faces Savur in the final group league tie that would decide the topper.

The top two players from each group would advance to the pre-quarterfinal knockout.

The others who virtually ensured their berth in the next grade included Pankaj Advani, defending champion Devendra Joshi, Dhruv Sitwala (all PSPB), B Bhaskar (Karnataka) and K Venkatesham (Railways).

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