UP cueist Malkeet fires tournament-high break

Malkeet came up with the superb break in the fifth frame to notch up a 1-29, 49-0, 7-27, 42-23, 83-0, 39-4 victory over Shambi to enter the third qualifying round.

Former Asian Games gold medal winner Shandilya had to dig deep into his reserves before prevailing 4-3 against Tamil Nadu's Mohammed Mueen in another second round encounter.

Shandilya led 3-0 before allowing his rival to come back into the game in a black-ball finish in the fourth frame and then dropped the next two frames to send the match into the decider.

The Railways player's vast experience came to the fore in the decider as he snatched a crucial lead with a significant break and took the match away.

Maharashtra's senior snooker champion Hasan Badami was also taken the distance by hosts P J Hindu Gymkhana cueist Shyam Kotak before snatching a 4-3 win in another second round clash.

Kotak frittered away a 3-2 lead against Badami, who carved out a 39-0, 0-32, 36-39, 35-26, 16-29, 37-4, 44-27 victory.

Manjot Singh of Punjab ended an exciting day of close encounters with a riveting 4-3 win over local rival V Subramaniam.

Trailing 1-3, a determined Subramaniam fought back gamely to draw level and force the decider before Singh capitalised on a significant lead to sew up the tie.

The qualifying phase is to run till June 5. (More)