Merchant, Shandilya to clash in final

Mumbai, May 18 (UNI) Former Asian champion Yasin Merchant and Asian Games gold medalist Ashok Shandilya set up a mouth-watering final, in the Rexello Castors-Islam Gymkhana Open Handicap&Invitation Snooker Tournament 2007 at the Islam Gymkhana here today.

In awesome form, defending champion Merchant demolished Rafath Habib of the Railways 76 (45)-1, 78-18, 35-75, 119 (52)-0, 95 (95)-0, 62-31 in the best-of-nine frames semi-finals.

On a day of big breaks, defending champion Merchant warmed up for the Asian Championship in Karachi with an emphatic win that included a break of 95 in the fifth frame, the highest in the competition so far, that surpassed Karan Anand's 88.

In contrast, Ashok Shandilya rolled back the years to fashion a pulsating 84-64, 55 (54)-11, 9-61, 78-39, 47-60, 53-13, 24-84 (41), 26-79, 56-33 win over the formidable Sarang Shroff in a contest between quality players that went all the way to the wire. A determined Shroff recovered gallantly from a 1-3 deficit to level at 4-4 and force the decider.

In a close ninth and final frame, Shandilya arrived for a clearance as he potted the colours to finally snatch the frame and match on the pink.

Shandilya will take on Merchant in the best-of-11 frames final.

In tonight's thrilling best-of-seven frames quarter-finals, Sarang Shroff overcame Omar Balsara 4-3, with Balsara missing the pink in the centre pocket in the decider and squandering a semi-finals berth.

Had Balsara potted the pink, an easy black waited for him on a platter. But it was not to be and Shroff seized the opportunity.

Results Semi-finals: Ashok Shandilya (Rlys) bt Sarang Shroff 84-64, 55(54)-11, 9-61, 78-39, 47-60, 53-13, 24-84 (41), 26-79, 56-33; Yasin Merchant bt Rafath Habib 76 (45)-1, 78-18, 35-75, 119 (52)-0, 95(95)-0, 62-31.

Quarter-finals: Yasin Merchant bt Devendra Joshi (PSPB) 29-83, 36-55, 77 (77)-6, 103-41, 81-36, 70 (59)-7; Sarang Shroff bt Omar Balsara 85 (77)-23, 50-59, 79-56, 65 (50)-23, 52-79, 40-68 (44), 65-48.

UNI