Ejaz Merchant called the shots against Cyrus Aga and cruised to a 3-0 (88-31, 65-3, 68-36) win in a first qualifying round match of the Rs 12.5 lakh prize-money CCI Snooker Classic 2024, organised by the Cricket Club of India, and played at the CCI’s Sir Wilson Jones billiards hall on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Nikhil Ghadge recovered from a 1-2 deficit to overcome Tehkum Alim 3-2 (52-28, 42-63, 15-71, 70-12, 55-16). Ashish Gore also encountered a strong fight from Rohit Chauhan before snatching a 3-2 (35-45, 63-23, 65-54, 38-73, 43-23) win to advance to the second round.
Mukesh Chawla also had a bit of struggle but managed to put it across Nauzad Munshi pulling off a 3-2 (59-54, 71-12, 34-75, 24-67, 57-52) win.
Results – Round-1: Mukesh Chawla bt Nauzad Munshi 3-2 (59-54, 71-12, 34-75, 24-67, 57-52);
Samarth Vernekar bt Gaurav Vithlani 3-1 (58-24, 48-55, 76-22, 79-1);
Nikhil Ghadge bt Tehkum Alim 3-2 (52-28, 42-63, 15-71, 70-12, 55-16);
Devesh Sharma bt Abdullah Ansari 3-1 (65-57, 29-76, 66-37, 47-34);
Aditya Shandilya bt Kersi Aga 3-1 (73-46, 20-39, 57-45, 71-56);
Ashish Gore bt Rohit Chauhan 3-2 (35-45, 63-23, 65-54, 38-73, 43-23);