IBSF World Snooker Championships: Hussain Khan advances to pre-quarters; Amee Kamani in quarters

India’s Hussain Khan defeated Australia’s Hassan Kerde 4-3 to enter the men’s pre-quarterfinals of the IBSF World Snooker Championships in Hyderabad. Pankaj Advani exited in the round of 24, while Amee Kamani and three other Indian women advanced in their draw

Hyderabad: Unsung Indian cueist Hussain Khan scored a thrilling 4-3 win over Australia’s Hassan Kerde to march into the men’s pre-quarterfinals of the IBSF World Snooker Championships here on Tuesday.

In a match of small margins, the 29-year-old Indian, who came through the first-stage qualification, played the crucial points well to set up a last-16 meeting with teen sensation Michal Szubarczyk of Poland.

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Earlier, India’s celebrated three-time champion Pankaj Advani bowed out 1-4 in the round of 24 against Deng Haohui. In a match bereft of big breaks, the Chinese cueist made the most of the chances that came his way to outplay his formidable Indian opponent.

Haohui raced to a quick 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven-frame encounter. That seemed to spur Advani, who replied with a break of 53 in the fourth frame to pull one back. However, the Chinese regrouped quickly to take the next frame and move into the pre-quarterfinals.

Amee Kamani in Quaters

In the women’s draw, four Indians advanced to the knockout rounds, with Amee Kamani topping Group ‘D’ with an all-win record to enter the last-eight stage as the second seed. The top four in the reseeding after the league phase moved directly to the quarters.

Keerthana Pandian also topped her group but finished fifth (on frame average) to make the pre-quarters. Also entering the last-16 were promising Natasha Chethan, who finished second in Group ‘E’, and Anupama Ramachandran (No. 2 in Group ‘F’).