Advani enters main draw

Home favourite Pankaj Advani entered the main draw of the 3rd Indian Open world ranking snooker tournament in the city on Tuesday. Advani beat world number 109 Fang Xiongman 4-2. The multiple world champion will face Elliot Slessor in round one on Wednesday.

His compatriots Manan Chandra and Lucky Vatnani didn’t fare so well on their respective first matches. They suffered 1-4 defeats at the hands of Andrew Higginson and David Grace respectively. One of the day’s most enticing matches saw veterans Joe Swail and Jimmy White face-off.

Six-time world finalist White looked good to take the opening frame after a contribution of 41, however he was thwarted by a counter clearance of 81 by the ‘Outlaw’. After leveling the match, White went 2-1 ahead thanks to a break of 91.

Swail then won the next two frames to put himself on the brink of victory. The lights looked to have literally gone out on the ‘Whirlwind’ in frame six. Swail had blue, pink and black at his mercy to secure the win when a power cut halted play.

The lights came back shortly after and the Northern Irishman held his nerve to seal his spot in the second round with a 4-2 win.