Keerthana Pandian wins silver at Asian Snooker Championships

Indian cueist Keerthana Pandian settled for silver at the Asian Snooker Championships in Doha after losing 1-3 to defending champion Narantuya Bayarsaikhan. The 23-year-old, who impressed throughout the tournament, faltered in the final despite a strong semifinal win

Hyderabad: The occasion of playing her first big final seemed to get to Keerthana Pandian as the Indian youngster came up short in the title clash against defending champion Narantuya Bayarsaikhan at the Asian Snooker Championships in Doha on Friday.

The 23-year-old, who was in good touch right through the tournament, was error-prone in the final and went down 1-3 to the Mongolian cueist in a contest that never rose to any great heights. For large parts, both resorted to the safety-first approach, Keerthana more so.

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The Indian was in the contest — a 10-red affair for women — in the marathon opening frame of the best-of-five encounter. Trailing 24-37 with just the colours on, Keerthana fought back to go up 42-37, but missed a long black to the top right pocket. Bayarsaikhan sank the black to the centre pocket to go up 1-0.

The loss of the first frame on the black seemed to play on Keerthana’s mind as she was a trifle tentative. After an early break of 19, the Mongolian punished the Indian’s error on the yellow with a gritty break of 40.

Keerthana, who outclassed fellow Indian Anupama Ramachandran, the reigning IBSF World champion, 3-0 in the semifinals late on Thursday evening, fought back to take the third frame.

But she failed to take that momentum into the fourth frame and let her rival off the hook with a few poor safety shots. Bayarsaikhan made the most of those offerings to clinch the frame 57-6 and retain her title.

Results: Women: Final: Narantuya Bayarsaikhan (Mgl) bt Keerthana Pandian (Ind) 3-1 (44-42, 59 (40)-1, 17-49, 57-6).