Advani creates history, lifts World Professional title

LEEDS: Pankaj Advani created history by becoming the second Indian, after Geet Sethi, to win the World Professional Billiards Championship at the Northern Snooker Centre here.

The 24-year-old Indian pulled off a huge surprise by defeating nine-time winner Mike Russell of Qatar 2030-1253 after having a 800-plus lead at the break.

Advani made a break of 226 and six more centuries on his way to lift his first Professional billiards world title.

He has already won the amateurs world billiards and snooker Championships.

Geet Sethi was the last Indian to win in 2006, his first being in 1992.

Russell had defeated Indian Rupesh Shah in the semifinal 1366-880, while Advani beat compatriot Dhruv Sitwala 1037-972.