Maharashtra’s Kreishh Gurbaxani, the number 2 ranked Indian junior snooker player and Tamil Nadu’s top seed S. Shrikrishna, ranked number 5, rolled out some scintillating performances to set up a clash in the semi-finals of the Bombay Gymkhana Youth Snooker Open 2019, organized under the aegis of the BSAM, and played at the Bombay Gymkhana billiards room.
India’s number 2 ranked junior snooker star Kreishh Gurbaxani of Khar Gymkhana scored an easy 4-0 win against club mate Harmehr Mago in a quarter-final match of the Bombay Gymkhana Youth Snooker Open.
The Mumbai-based Kreishh, who plays and trains at the Khar Gymkhana, tamed his club mate Harmehr Mago by posting a quick 4-0 win in the best-of-7 frame quarter-final contest. On an adjacent table, the Chennai-based Shrikrishna, who is the current National (Senior) billiards champion, constructed a century effort of 101 to outshine Railways’ cueist Mohd. Hussain Khan by a 4-1 margin.
Kreishh looked very confident from the start as he potted quite accurately and consistently against Harmehr who was not up to the challenge. Settling down quickly Kreishh compiled a break of 51 to take the opening frame. He then followed it up with fine efforts of 75 (2nd frame) and 77 (3rd frame) to open up a 3-0 lead before making a run of 32 to pocket the fourth and complete a win in five frame at 62-31, 81-10, 83-1 and 64-25.
The Tamil Nadu cueist Shrikrishna made a hesitant start but managed to win the first frame which boosted his confidence. He was in full flow in the second as he played some fine shots to build the three-figure break. He could have extended the run, but missed a difficult last red off the cushion. He then made a break of 47 in the third before going on to comfortably win the fourth to seal his win.
Second seed Ishpreet Singh Chaddha, a former junior National snooker and billiards champion, recorded an authoritative 4-0 win against Taaha Khan of Railways in another last eight encounter. Ishpreet had decent breaks of 32 (1st frame) and 74 (2nd frame) as he went onto clinch a victory with the frame scores reading 73-22, 109-7, 73-29 and 76-9.
In the semi-finals, Ishpreet will take on Asutosh Padhy who defeated Hritik Jain 4-1 (66-9, 71-51, 56-8, 19-62 and 56-27).
Results – Quarter-finals:
S. Shrikrishna beat Mohd. Hussain Khan 4-1 (67-44, 101(101)-0, 88(47)-12, 39-62, 65-12);
Kreishh Gurbaxani beat Harmehr Mago 4-0 (62(51)-31, 81(75)-10, 83(77)-1, 64(32)-25);
Asutosh Padhy beat Hritik Jain 4-1 (66(34,32)-9, 71-51, 56-8, 19-62, 56(42)-27);
Ishpreet Singh Chaddha beat Taaha Khan 4-0 (73(32)-22, 109(74)-7, 73-29, 76-9).