Young Ankur lifts snooker trophy with an easy win
LUCKNOW : Young Ankur Agarwal continued his superb run in the UP Open Handicap Snooker Tournament even on Thursday, annexing the glittering trophy by crushing Shobhit Chandra 4-1, at the Green Baize here.
In fact, the final was not as interesting as the organizers, Lucknow Cue Sports Association, would have wished for. Much was expected since Chandra, who has won this title two years ago, was on the table and his opponent Agarwal had been playing extremely well throughout the tournament.
And on Thursday too, he played some brilliant snooker but it was Chandra, who let his fans down. His totally illogical shot selection, his simple pot missing and poor safety play made the match totally one sided. Even though the score line finished at 4-1, the frame that Ankur gave away was his for taking. With just needing blue to win the fourth frame and the championship, his attempt at a cut shot was not needed but a safety would have been a better choice.
Even with just the black on the table nerves once again got the better of Ankur and once again he attempted a pot where he should have played a safety. After a five minute break, Agarwal returned to the table totally having re composed himself and finished the fifth in style forcing Chandra to shake hands with blue, pink and the black on the table.
Earlier in the semi finals both Chandra Agarwal had thrilling wins.
In the first semi, Chandra was the favorite but Shwetabh, an upcoming star of Lucknow Cue Sports Academy, played a mature and steady game to keep his rival in check. It was a seesaw battle as each won two frames and the decider was placed on the table.
Ultimately the thought of reaching his first tournament final got the better of Shwetabh as he missed an easy match winning pink which Chandra fluked to oust the young rival.
Ankur started the match with a bang, winning the first two frames on a trot but Rahul being an old hand of the game was not one to cave in. He came back into the match with a fury by hitting a color ball clearance in both the third and the fourth frame. But in the fifth it looked like Rahul had spent all his energy as Ankur won the frame and the match with ease. SCORES Finals: Ankur Agarwal bt Shobhit Chandra 4-1 (92-36; 73-33; 65-29; 54-55; 70-28). Semifinals: Ankur Agarwal bt Rahul Singh 3-2 (81-35; 98-55; 60-77; 35-67; 88-45); Shobhit Chandra bt Shwetabh Dixit 3-2 (65-78; 63-48; 79-55; 35-61; 66-55).