Upsets continue in Wilson Jones Snooker

The spate of upsets show no signs of recession at the Silk India Naturals-sponsored All India Wilson Jones Open handicap snooker tournament being organised at the P.J. Hindu Gymkhana. The latest to join the list of upsets is Zubin Vajifdar.

Giantkiller Chandra Pujari rallied to stun Vajifdar 2-1 in an absorbing second round tie on Monday. Pujari (+60), who shocked former Maharashtra No. 4 Hitesh Kotwani in the opening round, came up with another impressive performance to fashion a surprise 108-77, 113-120, 121-118 win over the favoured Vajifdar (+45).

Pujari got off to a dream start before his accomplished opponent could settle down and snatched a crucial 1-0 lead. He then ran a struggling Vajifdar close in the second frame that could have gone his way. But Vajifdar was lucky to pot the black ball to clinch the frame and force the decider. The tie progressed to a nail-biting finish in the third and final frame when Pujari trailed 114-118 in a black ball finish. To Vajifdar's misfortune, he endured an in-off to gift a relieved Pujari seven points and the match.

In a contest between quality players, L.S. Mhatre (+45) upset Anup Kedia (+40) 88-99, 111-80, 97-76 in another keen second round clash. To complete another day of upsets, Chandu Kansodaria (+55) shocked Chetan Munankar (+40) 106-82, 75-106, 106-95, while Siraj Sheikh (+60) overcame Samuel Selven (+50) 91-115, 117-107, 121-112 to also advance to the third round.