India No. 1 and national champion Ishpreet Singh and Gujarat’s, Dhvaj Haria, ranked fifth in the country, scored contrasting wins on their way to the title round of the “The Yasin Merchant Snooker Challenge-2022”, hosted by Khar Gymkhana in memory of their umpteen times national champion Shyam Shroff, here today. While Ishpreet, the home favourite, routed another India stalwart Laxman Rawat 6-0, in a thoroughly one-sided affair, Haria had to fight all the way after leading 4-1 to get the better of higher ranked Manan Chandra from PSCB 6-4 in the best of 11 frames.
Ishpreet was in such a dazzling form that left his rival Laxman watching in awe, as the national champion romped home with a 64-33, 84-20, 70-24, 79-21, 69-5, 70-1. But Haria after losing the opening frame (16-71), made a splendid fightback thereafter as he went on the claim the next four frames to lead 4-1. However, seasoned Manan, known for his fighting qualities did bring out his best, but only to reduce the margin before the youngster from Ahmedabad was home with a 16-71, 65-29, 65[B54]-16, 63-60, 73[45]-19, 22-95, 56-48, 46-78, 27-77 [B50], 69-39 win.
Results: (Semifinals): Ishreet Singh bt Laxman Rawat 6-0 (64-33, 84-20, 70-24, 79-21, 69-5, 70-1); Dhvaj Haria bt Manan Chandra 6-4( 16-71, 65-29, 65[B54]-16, 63-60, 73[45]-19, 22-95, 56-48, 46-78, 27-77 [B50], 69-39).