Advani, Bhaskar in World Billiards semis

On a day of mixed fortunes for Indian cueists, Pankaj Advani and Balachandra Bhaskar were the ones left smiling as they entered the World Billiards Championship (time format) semi-finals, here today.
If it was another clinical performance by India's poster boy of cue sports Advani, who outplayed compatriot Rupesh Shah in the quarter-final, then Bhaskar stunned the much-fancied Peter Gilchrist in the last-eight clash.
Advani, who has already won the 150-up points format title, looked unstoppable in the longer format as well after the Bangalore cueist had a barrage of big breaks against Shah before pocketing the match 916-665.
But it was another Bangalore cueist, Bhaskar, who hogged the limelight after dispatching top Singapore cueist Gilchrist 797-561.

Bhaskar, with a highest break of 204, is sure eyeing his first world title as he takes on Robert Hall, who got past India's Devendra Joshi 862-611, in the semi-final.
But the most awaited last-four clash will surely be between title contenders Advani and England's David Causier, who had it easy against Dhruv Sitwala (1146-616) in the last-eight match.