Welsh Open: Pankaj Advani becomes first ever Indian to reach last 8

Pankaj Advani (FILE PHOTO)

Newport (Britain) - World billiards champion Pankaj Advani became the first and only Indian to enter the top eight of a major event on the professional snooker circuit as he easily beat Scotland’s Graeme Dott 4-1 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Welsh Open tournament here on Thursday.

Advani, who had defeated World No.4 Shaun Murphy in the pre-quarterfinals, started strongly with a 63 break for a 1-0 lead and followed it up with a run of 73 to go 2-0 up.

Dott, the 2006 World snooker champion and currently ranked at 13, took the third frame before Advani took the fourth on a 46 clearance and then clinched the match with a brilliant break of 100 to book his berth in the round of eight.

Advani, who next meets the winner of World No.2 Judd Trump vs Andrew Higginson match, said: “Being the only Indian to make it to the quarters of any professional snooker ranking tournament, is a huge high for me.

“I really have no words to express how amazing this feels. I hope this will translate into big steps forward in Indian snooker.”