Pankaj Advani wins 29th world title at World Billiards Championships

Pankaj Advani won his 29th world title after defeating England’s Robert Hall 1906-1206 in the WBL World Billiards Championships final at Great Wyrley, England, on Thursday night. India’s Shruthi L also retained her women’s title, defeating Australia’s Anna Lynch 347-222

Hyderabad: Green baize baron Pankaj Advani of India came up with a splendid display to outclass Robert Hall of England 1906-1206 in the final of the WBL World Billiards Championships at Great Wyrley, England, late on Thursday night.

The runaway victory in the five-hour final was the Bengalurean’s 29th World title of his career and his 21st in billiards. The 41-year-old Indian also avenged his loss to Hall in the semifinals of the English Open, a prelude to the World Championships.

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In the eight-player women’s draw, India’s Shruthi L defeated Australia’s Anna Lynch 347-222 to retain her title. Shruthi, who also competed in the men’s division but failed to make the knockout rounds, had defeated fellow Indian Keerath Bhandaal in the semifinals.

The men’s final was evenly balanced at the halfway stage, with Hall leading by about 100 points. But after the break, the Englishman pulled away with runs of 331 and 87 to take a vice-like grip. With about two hours to go, Hall had taken a massive 326-point lead.

However, Advani dug deep into his reserves to make a stupendous comeback. He came up with a gritty break of 210 — which ended with a miscue — to reduce the margin. When his rival missed a regulation in-off into the top-left pocket, the Indian ace replied with a colossal break of 587 to run away with the match. He followed that up with further runs of 197 and 147.

“It is an honour and privilege to lift the oldest World Championship trophy in the history of global sport — the John Roberts Trophy,” said an elated Pankaj.

“An incredible field with the best billiards players on the planet, and to win it feels special given the standard of the game. Thrilled to raise my game and make the highest break when I needed it the most in the final after being over 300 points down,” he said.

Advani had earlier defeated defending champion David Causier 1607-1271 in the semifinals. Prior to that, the Indian outclassed Sourav Kothari, the reigning two-time IBSF World champion, 1134-575 in the quarterfinals.

Results (Indians unless mentioned):

Men: Final: Pankaj Advani 1906 (91, 91, 55, 99, 149, 210, 587, 197, 147) bt Robert Hall (Eng) 1206 (68, 203, 109, 331, 87, 50).

Semifinals: Advani 1607 (285, 110, 182, 312, 134) bt David Causier (Eng) 1271 (110, 283, 330, 116, 141); Hall 1029 (357, 117) bt Peter Gilchrist (Sin) 887 (192, 178, 106, 147, 117).

Women: Final: Shruthi L bt Anna Lynch (Aus) 347-222.

Semifinals: Shruthi bt Keerath Bhandaal 308-176; Anna bt Eva Palmius (Swe) 263-164.