Cueists Advani, Mehta in third round

India's Pankaj Advani came up with a typical late fightback to snatch a dramatic 10-9 win over Chinese Li Hang and join compatriot Aditya Mehta in the third round of the Professional World Snooker Championship qualifying tournament here.

The 28-year-old won five of the last six frames Friday to oust Hang and set up a third round clash with Robbie Williams, the winner of which will advance to the 32-man main draw which will be played at the Crucible.

Bangalore's Advani survived Hang's early assault that saw the Chinese put in breaks of 63, 116, 67, 52, 120, 61 and 85 to lead 8-5 in the best-of-19 frames encounter.

Facing certain defeat, Advani kept his composure under tremendous pressure and clawed his way back by winning three frames on the trot to make it 8-all. Hang, however, took the 19th frame for a 9-8 lead but Advani scrambled home, pouching the 18th and 19th frames.

Earlier, Mumbai-based 28-year-old Mehta, aided by breaks of 53, 70, 81 and 72, defeated Christopher Keogan 10-4 and will clash with Jamie Jones for a main draw berth.