Winning start by Advani in World billiards

Fresh from winning the points format title, Pankaj Advani began his campaign in the timed format of the World Billiards Championship with a workmanlike 701-510 win over fellow Indian Arun Agarwal in a Group C league match here Saturday.

The 29-year-old Advani posted a best break of 128 while getting past Agarwal while elsewhere Dhvaj Haria, Alok Kumar, Dhruv Sitwala, Rupesh Shah, Devendra Joshi and Ashok Shandilya also came through their respective opening league matches.

The day session was highlighted by David Causiera's 1355-162 win over India's Jaiveer Dhingra as the Englishman crafted breaks of 260, 236 and 186 to underline his form.

Results:

Group B: David Causier (ENG) bt Jaiveer Dhingra 1355 (260, 236, 186)-162. Group C: Pankaj Advani bt Arun Agarwal 701 (128)-510. Group D: Matthew Bolton (AUS) bt Aditya Agarwal 889-331. Group E: Dhvaj Haria bt Neil Bolton (AUS) 377-353; Phil Mumford (ENG) bt Sushrut Pandia 714-384. Group F: Christopher Taylor (ENG) bt Siddharth Parikh 427-398.

Group G: Alok Kumar bt Mark Hill (ENG) 989 (142)-200. Group H: Dhruv Sitwala bt Akhilesh Mohan (FRA) 782 (121,174,106)-197. Group I: Rupesh Shah bt S. Venkateswaran 779 (104, 115, 106)-219. Group J: Devendra Joshi bt Fraser Durham (CAN) 762 (100, 100)-370. Group K: Ashok Shandilya bt Aaron Davies (ENG) 552 (113)-344.