Advani continues dream run at Bluebell Wood Open

Eight-time world champion Pankaj Advani continued his fine run to reach the pre-quarterfinals of the third European Players Tour Championship (PTC) of the season, the Bluebell Wood Open, being held at Doncaster Dome in Sheffield.
India's leading snooker professional, Advani notched up a series of wins en route his round of 16 appearance, which included the prized scalp of the former world and UK champion, Peter Ebdon.
On Day 1, Advani, the first Indian to qualify for the Indian Open, faced a tough opponent in Ebdon in the round of 128. Advani was straightaway put on the back foot as Ebdon opened the best-of-seven frames proceedings with a century break of 112.

Within minutes, Ebdon raced to a 2-0 advantage. The Bangalore-based cueist then responded to bring it back to two-all with a mix of small breaks and snookers.
A 61 break in the fifth frame placed the Englishman a frame away from ousting his younger opponent. But at 2-3 down, Advani rose to the occasion and displayed great snooker to outclass the veteran cueist in the next two frames and win the keenly-contested tie 4-3.
Up against Ian Burns next, Advani gave no room to his opponent to settle down and fired in two breaks of 57 in the first and third frames to blank him 4-0.

In the final match of the day, the round of 32, Advani was facing the seasoned Northamptonshire cueist Rory McLeod.
Advani continued the onslaught of heavy scoring and with a break of 52, the Indian created his second consecutive whitewash, winning the match 4-0 to advance to the pre-quarters of the prestigious event.
While Advani gets to rest on Day 2, the other Indian Aditya Mehta will be in action, first up against Nigel Bond of England.