Akshay wins state billiards title
LUCKNOW: Seasoned Akshay Kumar once again proved his supremacy in the UP State Open Billiards Championship here on Friday, outplaying his sparring partner Gaurav Nathani 3-0 to claim the title of State No 1.
As both the students of Lucknow Cue Sports Academy took to the table it was clear that the final was not going to be too serious an affair as both had achieved the main goal that of representing the State at the 2019 Nationals.
Akshay who at the moment is also State No 1 in snooker, played a more serious game of the two as he won at ease at the Green Baize 151-7, 151-140 and 150-93. The event was organized by the Lucknow Cue Sports Association under the auspicious of Uttar Pradesh Billiard and Snooker Association.
Earlier in the day, in the semifinals Akshay knocked out Rahul Singh 3-0 (101-55, 101-86, 101-29), before Gaurav also notching up 3-0 (100-23, 101-62, 101-61) against reigning champion Nitin Kohli.
From the word go, Gaurav played such an aggressive, calculated and focused game which took Nitin by surprise and put him on the back foot. After winning the first frame, in a best of five (100 up) format, and when the score board read 88-38 in favour of Gaurav in the second, nerves caught up with both the players.
Both started missing some easy shots though Gaurav more than Nitin and at one point it looked like Nitin would win the second. But Gaurav after at least ten visits to the table finally managed to make the balance 12 points to win the frame.
Even then it was expected that Nitin with his vast experience would and could make a comeback. But fortunately Nitin just could not find his form and lost the match 3-0.
SCORES
Final: Akshay Kumar bt Gaurav Nathani 3-0 (151-07; 151-140; 150-93): Semi-finals: Akshay Kumar bt Rahul Singh 3-0 (101-55; 101-86; 101-29); Gaurav Nathani bt Nitin Kohli 3-0 (100-23; 101-62; 101-61).