India lose in Billard doubles semis, Yasin out in Snooker

Doha, Dec 7 (UNI) India's bid for a place in the final of the English Billiard doubles event was thwarted by a spirited Mayanmar team while Yasin Merchant went down tamely to his rival in Snooker pre-quarterfinals at the Asian games here today.

Geet Sethi and Ashok Shandilya fought a grim battle but the Mayanmar duo of Aung San Oo and Kyaw Oo prevented the Indian pair from making it to the final.

Aung San, who was blown apart by Pankaj Advani in the semifinals of the singles event, took his revenge with a strong display on the Green Baize against the Indians.

The Myanmar duo overpowered the Indians 3-2 in a tense semifinal winning the match 84-100, 100-0, 32-100, 100-15, 100-51.

The lead changed twice and in the crucial fifth frame, the winners held their nerves under pressure. They went for small breaks of 30 and 40s and stayed in front to win it and the match.

Geet was gracious in defeat. '' They played well especially in the final frame and survived the pressure and won,'' the Indian said about his rivals.

In the Snooker singles pre-quarterfinal, Saudi Arabia's Nezar Asseri blew apart Yasin Merchant, blanking the Indian 4-0.

The Saudi chalked out a surprisingly easy win 77-55, 74-52, 67-47, 52-17.

UNI HSB PDS ND1822