Shandilya falls at the threshold

Dwayne Williams

Ashok Shandilya, India's Asian Games double gold medallist, paid dearly for his prodigality. He was virtually on the threshold of what would have been the biggest upset of the World professional billiards championships 2001, but blew it. He had world No. 1 and defending champion Mike Russell with his back to the wall but blundered when it mattered most.

A crucial miss by the Indian cueist half an hour from the end of this pre-quarterfinal tie at the Cricket Club of India, in Bombay, saw the world champion gleefully grab the chance and race to the tape on a crisp, controlled 187 run.

Another Indian qualifier, Alok Kumar, too, fell at the first hurdle. But he was never in with a chance against Chris Shutt, the English world No. 5, and was squarely beaten.

Three other pre-quarter-finals, all of them all-English affairs, produced predictable results, true to form and rankings.

Former World champion Peter Gilchrist, Roxton Chapman and David Causier all came through in a canter, though the last named was a trifle lucky, fluking his way to a couple of big breaks that did qualifier Peter Sheehan in.

Shandilya might well spend a sleepless night. He had a jaded Russell by the scruff of the neck, so to speak, right through the first half, but was unable to convert the 70s and 80s into 100s and 200s despite looking good for them. Those runs invariably crumbled on some bad shots.

Yet, he was still in with a chance with Russell barely beginning to shake off the rustiness. With about half an hour to the buzzer, Shandilya was ahead by some 40-odd points. He was in perfect position for a red in-off to set up a drop cannon that could have given him top table position. But he botched the half-ball in-off.

Russell, the true champion that he is, could never have asked for more. He strode calmly to the table and got down to doing what he does best. He rarely managed to get into top table position. But he was in total control as he rustled up a neat and tidy 187-run which took the match away from Shandilya.

Alok Kumar was simply unable to get into a groove. Realising that his rival was struggling, Shutt took his time getting a feel of the table without doing anything silly. Once into a rhythm, the Englishman opened up that wee-bit and the breaks rolled in slowly but surely.

Results (pre-quarter-finals):

Mike Russell 649 (84, 141, 98, 187) beat Ashok Shandilya 469 (68, 79, 77); Roxton Chapman 473 (83, 64, 72, 79) beat Ian Williamson 389 (152, 11-UNF); Chris Shutt 728 (54, 168, 90, 58) beat Alok Kumar (529 (80); David Causier 732 (83, 60, 98, 123, 63) beat Peter Sheehan 569 (80), Peter Gilchrist 761 (60, 124, 60, 59, 172) beat Paul Bennett 336.

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