Pankaj Advani claims 11th world billiards crown

12/13/2016

Pankaj Advani won his 11th world billiards title on Monday by defeating Singapore's Peter Gilchrist 6-3 in the 150-up format final in Bengaluru. It was the Indian ace’s 16th world crown, and had bowed out in the quarters of the Long-up format last week to compatriot Sourav Kothari.

Advani came into the final on the back of a convincing victory over Myanmar's Aung Htay, and he won the first game 151-33 with a highest break of 98. The second game turned out to be closer, but the Indian record a break of 97 to wrap it up 150-95.

The Singapore-based Briton, who won the Long-up format world crown last week, fought back to take the next two games to level at 2-2.

Advani quickly re-established a two-game lead with wins of 150-50 and 152-37 before Gilchrist reduced the gap by winning the seventh game 150-86.

Unlike in the semi-finals, where Advani posted century breaks in all his games, the Indian ace appeared content with short break points. However, Advani posted his first-century break of the match in the eighth game which he won 151-104, and swept the final game 150-15.