Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani added another feather to his cap by clinching the coveted Songhe Singapore Open title on Sunday. Advani showcased his dominance in the final, defeating local favorite Jaden Ong with a commanding 5-1 scoreline. The victory comes after a thrilling quarterfinal match where Advani overcame former IBSF world snooker champion Dechawat Poomjaeng of Thailand in a hard-fought 4-3 battle.
Despite the seemingly lopsided final score, the early frames were a tight contest. Advani’s meticulous play and strategic clearances allowed him to overcome a deficit and clinch the first two frames, taking a crucial 2-0 lead.
However, Ong was not ready to give up. He mounted a spirited comeback in the third frame, forcing Advani to raise his game. The Indian responded with heavy scoring, putting Ong under immense pressure. Ong managed to pull one frame back, briefly reigniting hopes of a comeback.
But Advani’s experience and composure proved too much for the Singaporean. In the fourth frame, a crucial snooker on the final brown set up a clean clearance from brown to black, putting Advani on the brink of victory.
The final frame was a mere formality as Advani sealed the title with a commanding 74-6 win. With this victory, Advani adds yet another prestigious title to his already impressive trophy cabinet.
Next up for the Indian billiards champion is the defense of his world billiards title in Doha, Qatar, in November. The world will be watching as Advani looks to continue his reign at the pinnacle of the sport.
