BISHKEK (Kyrgyzstan): Ace cueist Pankaj Advani closed in on defending his 6-red snooker title as he earned a berth in the knockout draw, winning three group games on the trot at the Asian 6-Red Snooker and Team Championships here.
The 16-time world champion Advani overcome a challenge from Thailand’s Phaithoon Phonbun with a comfortable 5-2 win, before seeing off Ali Roshanikiya of Iran 5-3.
Advani though found himself in a spot of bother at 1-3 against Omar Ali of Iraq but he made one of his famous comebacks by procuring the next four frames to storm into the last-16 stage, which commences tomorrow.
The other Indians in the fray had mixed outing with Faisal Khan, Pushpender Singh and Kamal Chawla — all on one win and one loss so far.
Their fates for qualifying to the knockout stages hang in the balance and will be determined by their remaining league matches. (AGENCIES)
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