Pankaj Advani beats Darren Morgan to confirm medal in first leg of Asian 10-red Snooker tournament

Doha: Nineteen-time world champion Pankaj Advani continued his fine form in the first leg of the Asian 10-red Snooker by storming into the semifinals on Friday. [caption id=“attachment_3779497” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of India’s Pankaj Advani. Reuters[/caption] Advani registered a comprehensive victory over seasoned multiple world champion Darren Morgan. After dropping the first frame to his Welsh opponent, Advani picked up the pace and took control of the high quality quarterfinal clash involving two heavyweights of cue sports. In the best-of-nine tie, Advani won five frames on the trot to confirm another medal for India and set up a mouth-watering clash with in form Brendan O’Donoghue of Ireland. As the lone Indian left in the fray, after Manan Chandra, Varun Madan and Kamal Chawla failed to qualify to the last-16 knockout stages, Advani made the most of his experience to advance in the tournament defeating Haris Tahir of Pakistan 5-2 before facing Morgan. Results: Quarterfinal: Pankaj Advani defeated Darren Morgan (Wales) 5-1: 12-92(58), 47-27, 50-13, 58-18, 62-36, 45-14. Pre-quarterfinal: Pankaj Advani beat Haris Tahir (Pakistan) 5-2: 55-31, 42-44(44), 48-47, 0-73(51), 67(67)-0, 48-1, 49-25.