Tamil Nadu youngster S. Shrikrishna (-400 handicap) was cool and composed as he scrapped past senior pro Dhruv Sitwala (-500) of Hindu Gymkhana to march into the semi-finals of the Chembur Gymkhana Handicap Billiards Tournament 2018, and being played at the Chembur Gymkhana Billiards Hall.
S. Shrishna
The 18-year-old Shrikrishna showed great temperament to put up a strong fight against the former two-time Asian billiards champ Sitwala and pull off a commendable win by just 24 points difference in an interesting quarter-final encounter. The TN lads produced a century break of 114 and two substantial runs of 77 and 54 which helped him win, while Stiwala managed a 110 break and a couple of decent efforts of 99, 87 and 76.
Meanwhile, Mumbai youngster Ryaan Razmi (-210) of Elphinstone CC also enjoyed a successful outing and with some steady, patiet play he did well to overcome former World champion Ashok Shandilya (-450) of Chembur Gymkhana 200-84 to set-up a semi-final meeting with Shrikrishna.
Ryaan Razmi
Siddharth Parikh (-500) of Hindu Gymkhana continued with his impressive run of form to storm past seasoned campaigner and club mate Devendra Joshi (-450) by a massive 200-11 points margin. Parikh after rolling in breaks of 122, 86 and 61 to cover his stiff handicap constructed an unfinished effort of 194 to wrap up the match. Joshi who was not in the best of form had just two efforts of 89 and 67.
Parikh will clash with Gujarat’s Dhvaj Haria (-500) who ended the fine winning run of qualifier Ankit Thakkar (-140) of Matunga Gymkhana by romping to a 200-153 victory.
Results – Quarter-finals:
Dhvaj Haria (-500) beat Ankit Thakkar (Matunga Gym, -140) 200-153.
Siddharth Parikh (Hindu Gym, -500) beat Devendra Joshi (Hindu Gym, -450) 200-11.
S. Shrikrishna (TN, -400) beat Dhruv Sitwala (Hindu Gym, -500) 200-176.
Rayaan Raazmi (ECC, -210) beat Ashok Shandilya (Chembur Gym, -450) 200-84.