Manan underlines his supremacy

MUMBAI: The snooker final of the Rs 4.25 lakh Shivaji Park Gymkhana All India Open Invitation Billiards / Snooker tournament held at the Matunga Gymkhana on Sunday was a sharp contrast to the billiards’ title clash held a couple of days back. National champion Manan Chandra beat Geet Sethi 5-3 in a battle of attrition to take home the winner’s purse of Rs 60,000.

The match in itself was one with fluctuating fortunes. Geet, a former national snooker champion, seemed to be be heading for a double when he raced through the opening frame (92-14) with a break of 63.

But Manan, who had upstaged former world champion Pankaj Advani in the final of the Chennai Nationals in January, had other plans. With a break of 81, he won the next frame (91-22).

From then on, the duo traded frames as the contest intensified. No player was prepared to give an inch of space and it was all square after six frames.

If Geet brought in all his experience to the table, the 25-year-old Manan wore his impressive snooker record like an armour. Displaying poise and control, the man from Delhi beat the veteran in his own game. And slowly but surely he gained the upper hand as Geet’s luck ran out.

The seventh frame proved to be the most crucial as it swung the match in Manan’s favour. An otherwise ordinary break of 36 was significant in the context of this match, ensuring Manan race through the frame (77-1). Thereafter, Manan gave no leeway as he sealed a 14-92, 91-22, 41-93, 57-5, 63-42, 11-74, 77-1, 75-41 win.