Advani edges out Devendra

Former world amateur snooker champion Pankaj Advani edged out Devendra Joshi, the reigning Asian Billiards champion, by a mere four points to clinch the 71st Senior National Billiards championship at the Goregaon Sports Club in Mumbai on Saturday.

In a four-hour final of fluctuating fortunes, the Bangalore-based Advani -- winner of both the junior national crowns (snooker and billiards) held earlier at this venue -- shocked Mumbai-based former national champion Joshi 1283-1279.

Advani thus, repeated his three-title winning feat in the Jammu nationals two years ago where he clinched both the junior crowns as well as the senior snooker championship.

Advani, who led Joshi 638-571, was trailing by 300 points when he uncorked a massive break of 294, on his eleventh visit in the latter period of play, to come within striking distance of his younger rival.

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Joshi could have continued the break and sealed Advani's fate. But he went out of position by missing a red pot to the top pocket to help his opponent back into the match with just nine minutes remaining.

Advani shot off a 49 to go into the lead again before leaving the table for Joshi to come back with a run of 38 before going out of position and then missing a screw-back canon off red and end up two points adrift of the leader.

There was time left for Advani to start with a two-point shot before the buzzer sounded to crown him the new senior national champion.