Cue Sports
Pankaj Advani clinches 36th national snooker title
After beating Brijesh Damani 5-1 in the final, Advani has secured his Asian C'ship spot.
“There was a good feeling about this gold when the round of 48 matches," said Pankaj Advani. (File photo)
Pankaj Advani continued his reign in Indian cue sports, securing his 36th national title and 10th men’s snooker crown with a commanding 5-1 victory over Brijesh Damani in the final at the Yashwant Club in Madhya Pradesh.
The triumph also guarantees a place for the stalwart at the upcoming Asian and World Championships.
High stakes
Despite dropping the opening frame, Advani responded brilliantly.
He controlled the table from thereon, leaving Damani with no room for a comeback.
Sealing the win in style, he registered a decisive 84 break in the final frame.
“Since this is the only event that determines the representatives of the country for international tournaments, the stakes were high,” Advani said.
The victory was particularly special as it avenged his group-stage defeat to Damani, where he had managed to win only one frame.
Comeback and domination
The tables turned in the final as Advani dropped just a single frame on his way to the title.
A defining moment in his campaign came in the round of 48, where he found himself on the brink of elimination, trailing 2-4.
However, the multiple-time world champion mounted a remarkable comeback to win 5-4 and keep his title hopes alive.
“There was a good feeling about this gold when the round of 48 matches saw me bounce back from almost being out of the competition. Then I knew this pivotal moment had to mean something big awaits,” he reflected.
With the Asian Snooker Championship set to begin on February 15, both Advani and Damani will now set their sights on international glory.
