To Vilas Upsham has gone the credit of hitting the first century mark as he packed off Siddharth Subramanian 3-1 in the third qualifying round. Later, Vilas upset fancied Ameya Sankhla 3-2 to become first to qualify for main draw of the “The Yasin Merchant Snooker Challenge-2022”, held in memory of their former umpteem times national snooker champion Shyam Shroff, at Khar Gymkhana here. Incientally, Ameya was seeded directly into fourth round.
Right from the start, Vilas dominated as he recorded 103 in the first frame itself and followed it up winning the second frame with ease 54-6 before Siddharth could find his feet in the third, which he won. Though Siddharth did put good fight in the thereafter, it was Vilas who called the shots to emerge 103-46, 54-6, 48-66, 58- 78 winner.
Another most impressive winner was Umesh Prajapati, who dropped the opening frame and was down 1-2, before he rallied to oust Prayanshu Palan 18-53, 68-27, 44-86, 57-17, 62-23. Dipesh Jain, who led 2-0 against Vipul Shah was in for a fright when Vipul took the tie to the decider. However Dipesh asserted in the decider to romp home 3-2 (64-22, 50-37, 49-55, 33-65,61-42). Vishal Gyani was at his wits end as he trailed Sumit Sharma 0-2 before he fought back to emerge 3-2 (46-60, 49-66, 62-24, 56-13, 71-32) winner.
Results : (4th Qualifying round): Vilas Upsham bt Ameya Sankhla 3-2 (54-42, 70-52, 19-52, 24-64, 76-30). (3rd Qualifying round): Vilas Upsham bt Siddharth Subramanian 3-1 (103-46, 54-6, 48-66, 58- 78); Yash Babani bt Manan Shah 3-0 (67-47, 61-33, 69-55; Arjit Ray bt Feroz Khan 3-1 (66-18, 60-39, 50-68, 71-66); Dipesh Jain bt Vipul Shah 3-2 (64-22, 50-37, 49-55, 33-65,61-42); Ajinkya Yelve bt Umesh Prajaati 3-0 (56-16, 55-44, 55-12).
CLOCK FOR TODAY (SATURDAY)–
SNOOKER – 11 a.m. onwards – Qualifying rounds; “The Yasin Merchant Challenge-2022: Khar Gymkhana.