World Billiards Championship | Sourav Kothari stumbles on final hurdle
© IBSF Media
National champion Sourav Kothari suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of former world champion Peter Gilchrist in the final of the IBSF World Billiards Long Up title in Bengaluru. The Indian, who defeated Pankaj Advani on his way to the final, lost 1500-617 in a one-sided encounter.
Sourav started the game well as he scored 90 points on his first break in the sixth of play but once he missed, Peter took all control and posted breaks of 127, 68, 66, and 57 to gain a handsome lead. Though Sourav compiled another break of 88 points, Peter showed his class and crafted an outstanding break of 356 points followed by 150 in next two visits to leave Sourav way behind. Eventually that 356 remained the highest break of the tournament.
Even though Peter did not stop there and made another remarkable break of 207 points in 23rd visit. He further added two more breaks of 98 and 110 points to take up the lead to more than 1100 points.
However, before he could close the proceedings, Sourav made some efforts to restore pride, but his break of 280 points in 28th visit did not make any difference to the match as Peter again posted two more breaks of 64 and 27 unfinished to claim his third IBSF title.
Rupesh Shah and Dhvaj Haria shared the joint Bronze for India.
