Pankaj Advani loses in semi-final of Paul Hunter Classic
After becoming the first Indian to enter the semifinals of an international professional snooker tournament, Pankaj Adavni lost to world number one, England's Mark Selby, in a keenly-fought last-four contest of the European Tour-1 Paul Hunter Classic here.
After becoming the first Indian to enter the semifinals of an international professional snooker tournament, Pankaj Adavni lost to world number one, England's Mark Selby, in a keenly-fought last-four contest of the European Tour-1 Paul Hunter Classic here.
Seven-time World champion, Advani put up a brave fight against the veteran Englishman and stretched his opponent to the limit before eventually losing 2-4.
In a clash of the best, Selby proceeded to pocket the first frame denying Advani even a single point. Displaying excellent technique, Advani once again used a combination of defence and attack to score a break of 50 in the second frame, equalising the scores to a frame apiece.
Not to be left behind, Selby proceeded to pocket the next two frames to lead 3-1 only to have Advani fight back, narrowing the lead to 2-3.
In the sixth frame, Selby constructed a break of 87 to win the game 4-2.
Advani had defeated Ryan Day of Wales in the quarterfinals yesterday while on Friday, he had emerged victorious against former World no 1 John Higgins.