Chennai’s Anupama Ramachandran triumphs at IBSF World Snooker Championship

India’s Anupama Ramachandran clinched the IBSF World Snooker (15-red) title in Doha, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve the feat. The 23-year-old defeated Hong Kong China’s Ng On Yee in a tense final, sealing victory with the last black

Hyderabad: In a match of fluctuating fortunes till the very last black, India’s Anupama Ramachandran held her nerve under pressure to clinch the World Snooker title in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday.

The 23-year-old from Chennai edged out Hong Kong China’s Ng On Yee 51-74, 65-41, 10-71, 78-20, 68-60 to become the first Indian woman to annex the IBSF World Snooker (15-red) crown.

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Anupama, who won the Asian Snooker title last year, got lucky towards the end when On Yee, a three-time champion, missed the final black — a regulation pot she would normally have converted — with the score at 60-61 in the decider.

Seizing the opportunity, Anupama took her time and sank the tough black into the bottom left-hand pocket to claim the title.

The Indian ace, who ousted compatriot Keerthana Pandian 3-1 in the semifinals late on Wednesday, staged a spirited rally twice in the best-of-five final. She drew parity after losing the first frame and, down 1-2 in the fourth, came up with a gritty 29 break under pressure to level the scores.

In the decider, Anupama was the more adventurous of the two, giving her rival a few openings. She potted a long red to the top right-hand pocket but snookered herself thrice. On Yee failed to capitalise and also struggled with her safety play.

Anupama wasn’t complaining. She scored whenever she got the chance and resorted to safety when she lost position. Up 61-42 with just 25 points on the table, she played a poor safety on the green — stuck to the pink near the cushion — giving her rival a chance to close out the match.

Fortunately for Anupama, On Yee, who cleared the green, brown, blue and pink, missed a sitter black. Anupama jumped out of her chair and potted the black to emerge triumphant.