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Russell - the most lethal Billiards player ever

by Ashok Shandilya (Indian Billiards Player) speaking to CSI Correspondent

 

I first saw Mike Russell when he played in the World Professional Billiards Championship at The Leela in the 90s. I was refereeing the inaugural match between Russell and Devendra Joshi. In four visits he was up by a thousand points, breaks of 350, 300 and 200. I had no time to even sip a glass of water. Joshi would make a few points, miss a ball and Russell would make a 200 break.


In due course it was my turn to play against him in the pro circuit and I got a clear view of his greatness. I have never seen his kind of concentration, touch and consistency. Even when he was out of touch or practice he could yet produce a great game. Two years ago he didn't qualify for the knockout of the world event because of his indifferent touch. He lost to me and Lee Lagan in the league. I made it to the semis where I lost to Lagan who was beaten by Geet Sethi in the final. It was Geet's first world title after a gap of eight years.


But next year, Russell was back with a vengeance, making breaks of 900 plus and re-claiming the title. He beat Geet in the semis. He had a 900-plus lead after the first session and though Geet outplayed him in the second there was no way Russell would lose. The same happened in the 2008 final where Russell almost led by 500 at the break. That's one of his specialties. He finishes his opponent in the first session itself. I have not seen any other player doing this so consistently. Nobody can be a match for him when he is in full flow.


The comparison with Sethi will always be tempting. I would say if the two play ten times Russell will win seven times. Sethi of late has been giving his opponents a chance. Not so Russell whose game is lethal. You give him one chance and he will make a break of 200 at least.


I have beaten him about eight times in long and short formats. I have done that by keeping him behind with big breaks and frustrating him with white-pot-and-double baulk.


In short like Sethi Russell is a living legend. Before the baulk-line rule came Indians ruled the roost. But Russell made a fine art of tackling this rule which says one's hand ball must cross the baulk every 80-100 points.

 


Ashok Shandilya - Indian Billiards Player

Mumbai - Monday 28 July 2008

 

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Last modified: Monday July 27, 2009 21:57:00 +0530