Shyam Shroff Memorial - Khar Gymkhana Snooker Tournament

Khar Gymkhana - 15 Linking Road

Khar - Mumbai

Qualifying :: 26 February - 02 March 2008

Main Round :: 04 - 09 March 2008

Yasin Merchant Supreme

Report by :: Don Monteiro

Twice Asian champion Yasin Merchant overcame India No. 2 Aditya Mehta 5-2 to clinch the title, in the Khar Gymkhana-Shyam Shroff Memorial Open Invitation Snooker Tournament at the Khar Gymkhana on Sunday. Merchant sealed an exciting championship round with a 62-29, 81-32, 64-24, 76-7, 58-80, 51-74, 58-48 victory in the best-of-nine frames final that lasted a marathon four hours.

Merchant raced to a 4-0 lead in a trice that reflected the devastating form he was enjoying. Only an unscheduled interval disturbed his rhythm and allowed Mehta to keep his hopes alive by reducing the margin after pocketing the fifth and sixth frames. As the balls rolled in his favour and blended beautifully with his form, Merchant took advantage to rifle in breaks of 49 in the second frame and a 57 in the fourth that left Mehta bewildered.

Mehta, entered the final after enduring thrilling 4-3 wins over Alok Kumar of Punjab in the quarter-finals and India No. 1 Pankaj Advani in the semi-finals on a grueling Saturday. But Mehta braved those marathon encounters and came up with a late challenge against Merchant, though it was not enough to halt the India No. 5.

"My safety play was good and I managed to keep Aditya tight," said a delighted Yasin Merchant. "That unscheduled interval disturbed my rhythm and perhaps that was the reason I dropped the fifth and sixth frames. Aditya was good, but he could have been better. He did not capitalise on his openings. I always believed he is class player and plays snooker the way it should be played."

Yasin Merchant received Rs.60,000 for his effort, while Mehta received Rs.30,000. India No. 1 Pankaj Advani received a cash prize of Rs.5,000 for the highest break.

Results (Knock-out): Click here