Dhruv Sitwala loses to Peter Gilchrist in Pan Am Cup billiards final
Reigning Asian billiards champion Dhruv Sitwala lost 972-1500 to Singapore's Peter Gilchrist in the Pan Am Cup final in Canada after surrendering an early lead. Meanwhile, Indian pool player Sundeep Gulati exited the Malaysian International Open in the round of 32
Hyderabad: India’s Dhruv Sitwala, the reigning Asian billiards champion, came up short in the final of the Pan Am Cup Billiards Championship, losing 972-1500 to Singapore’s Peter Gilchrist in Winnipeg, Canada.
Despite starting in rousing fashion, the southpaw from Mumbai ended up on the wrong end of the scoreline. Leading by about 450 points in the initial stages of the final, Sitwala let his advantage slip and allowed his famed rival back into the contest.
Sitwala, who defeated Gilchrist in the New Zealand Open final two years ago, has struggled against his Singaporean rival in recent times. It was no different on Monday, as Gilchrist, after a slow start, compiled three double-century breaks in quick succession to race ahead.
The Indian ace, a four-time world runner-up, did get a few chances but failed to capitalise on them. Gilchrist then made an unfinished break of 214 to emerge a runaway winner.
Meanwhile, Sundeep Gulati, India’s top pool player, went down fighting 60-80 to Indonesia’s Gebby Putra in the round of 32 of the Malaysian International Open Duya Golden 9-Ball pool event late on Tuesday.
Results:
Final: Peter Gilchrist (Sin) 1500 (102, 207, 239, 208, 214 unf.) bt Dhruv Sitwala (Ind) 972 (101, 102, 81, 70, 176, 96, 80).
