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Advani enters world billiards semi-finals

India’s Pankaj Advani along with compatriot Dhruv Sitwala entered the semi-finals (time format) of the World Billiards Championship on Friday with contrasting victories.

While 27-year-old Advani, the seven times World Champion, hammered compatriot Rupesh Shah 1,647-705, Sitwala edged out Sourav Kothari 558-562 in another all-India quarter-final.

Advani, who crafted two double centuries and four centuries, will take on Sitwala in the top-half of the draw while in the other semi-final reigning champion Mike Russell, who ousted Geet Sethi 1,345-739, meets Mathew Bolton who defeated David Causier 927-891.

“I am very happy to be playing fellow-Indian and a great friend in the semis. With two Indians at the table, we are guaranteed a spot for the country in the finals of the Time format and it also gives us a great chance of bringing the title home,” said Advani.

In the points format quarter-finals, top seed Advani went down 1-4 to Peter Gilchrist, who thus set up a clash with Rupesh Shah, a 4-2 winner over Ashok Shandilya.

The other semi-final will be between Bolton, who overcame Devendra Joshi 4-0, and Causier who ousted Martin Goodwill 4-1.