Advani and Mehta qualify for Indian Open 2013

Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta, two of the finest Indian cueists have scripted many wonderful chapters but late on Monday, the talented duo created history and brought relief to myriad snooker fans by qualifying for the Indian Open 2013, a major ranking event to be held in New Delhi for the first time from October 14-18.

The snooker fans will now have the unique opportunity to witness their two professional players compete with other top 62 professional players. Advani, who earlier in February reached the quarter-finals of Welsh Open thrashed Matthew Selt 4-Nil while Mehta beat China's Xiao Guodong 4-2 in the best of seven frames format.

Advani was tested in the opening frame when Selt recorded a break of 53 but the eight-time World Champion came back strongly with a break of 62 to seal the first frame. After winning the second frame 74-46, Advani stamped his authority with a break of 54 in the third and 65 in the fourth leaving his opponent with virtually no chance. His overall score read 62(62)-53(53); 74-47; 70 (54)-01; 72(65)-00.

Mehta, who featured in a late-evening match started strongly and looked like would qualify with ease when he went 3-0 up. After winning the first two frames 61-17 and 73-36, Mehta raced to an impressive century break (104) in the third frame which he won 117-09. Facing a must-win situation, Guodong, one of the top Chinese players who is in the top 40, clawed his way back into the game with a break of 68 to win 89(68)-01. Growing in confidence, the Chinese cueist dished out a stunning break of 105 in the next frame to make it 2-3 after five frames. However, Mehta made sure the decider frame was not needed as he won the sixth frame and the qualifier 60-25.

There would be some more Indian flavour at the event as six Indian wildcards will get a chance to feature in the ranking event for the first time.

Doncaster Dome, South Yorkshire :: 12 August 2013