Geet in final: shakes off 1-4 deficit with brilliant recovery

Bangalore, Sep 4 (UNI) ACC Billiards player Geet Sethi stormed into the final of the ONGC IBSF World Billiards championship (Points Format) defeating compatriot Devendra Joshi in the semifinals 5-3, recovering from a 1-4 deficit here today.

Winner of eight world titles, including five world professional and three IBSF World Billiards, Geet had teething problem which cost him dearly as the former Asian Champion Joshi took full advantage of the lapses by his famed rival.

Joshi opened the account winning the first frame 151-102 with a break at 122.

In the second frame also Joshi was in full control and took advantage of Geet's mishits at 80 and took a two frame lead(151-95).

The third frame was a cake walk for Joshi as Geet caved in, Joshi won 151-02.

But Geet like a true champion, realised his mistakes and regrouped his game and concentration to win the fourth frame 150-126 in a tug of war game. The first session ended with Joshi leading 3-1.

However, Geet proved his supermacy bouncing back in the Second session and winning the remaining four frames to finish the match with 5-3.

The holder of world record for a break of 1276 in the 1992 World Professional Billiards, Geet clinched the fifth game 152-16 with a break at 146 giving no room for Joshi to recover.

Continuing his tempo, Geet won the next at 152-112 and the last frame 150-0 to make it to the title clash.

In the Second semi final, World Billiards and Snooker Champion Pankaj Advani led 2-1 against defending Champion Rupesh Shah in the first Session with the scores 150-115, 91-152, 151-132.

Result: (Semifinal) Geet Sethi(Ind) bt Devender Joshi(Ind) 102-151, 95-151, 2-151, 150-126, 150-57, 152-16, 152-112, 150-0.

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