Mumbai: Tamil Nadu teenager S. Shrikrishna playing with a -400 points handicap showed great touch as he defeated Rovin D’Souza (-190) of Hindu Gymkhana by a comprehensive 200-129 points margin in Group-G match of the Chembur Gymkhana Handicap Billiards Tournament 2018 played at the Chembur Gymkhana billiards hall.
The 18-year-old Shrikrishna, who dominated the junior and sub-junior nationals making a clean sweep with four titles, winning the billiards and snookers events in both categories, was in complete control and comfortably covered his huge handicap before going on to cross the finish line. The Tamil Nadu cueist displayed a cool composure and was focused throughout as he hit a break of 113 and compiled a couple of notable efforts of 55, 98, 53, 50 and 61 to cruise to his second win in the group. He had earlier defeated Chandresh Shah (-150) of JVPG and is assured of progressing to the pre-quarter-finals.
Meanwhile in a battle between heavyweights, Nalin Patel (-450) of Bombay Gymkhana produced a steady performance to overcome Maharashtra No. 1 Vishal Madan (-350) of Chembur Gymkhana by a facile 200-114 points difference in a Group-F encounter. This was Patel’s third win and he topped the group ahead of second placed Pankaj Khatri and both qualify for the pre-quarter-finals.
Maharashtra No. 2 Rishabh Thakkkar (-350) of Otters Club had a mixed fortunes in Group-E. An uncharacteristic Thakkar suffered a shock defeat against Ankit Thakkar (-120) of Matunga Gymkhana losing 44-200. However, he regained his form and was in full flow as he constructed a solid effort of 198 and outclassed Carl Serrao (-190) of Dadar Club winning by a convincing 200-123 points victory.