Aditya Mehta downs Alok Kumar 6-2 to claim his maiden crown – 78th National Snooker Championship
Aditya Mehta of Mumbai defeated his Petroleum Sports Promotion Board teammate, Alok Kumar, by a frame score of 6-2 in a best-of-eleven frames final match of the 78th National Snooker Championship on August 9, 2011 to claim his maiden national trophy.
The 78th National Snooker Championship was being held in Chennai, India.
It was an accomplishing performance from the Mehta as he held his nerves to register an impressive win over his opponent. Meanwhile Kumar, who previously shocked everyone by shrugging off the defending champion Pankaj Advani, crashed out on the last hurdle.
The overall score-line between both players was 66-6, 6-63, 72-65, 67-41, 67-10, 74-58, 43-52 and 82-5.
The 25-year-old, Mehta, who is the lone Indian player on the world professional circuit, did not need to play his best snooker as he was able to win against Kumar with a top break of 40.
Kumar had his chances throughout the match but snooker did not come for him and Mehta fully utilised the opportunities.
Mehta was very excited with his victory and he told the media in the post-match presentation that he was waiting for this day since long and he is glad finally he has engraved his name on the trophy.
“I have been dreaming of this day for many years now. I came close to realising it in 2008, but lost to Pankaj Advani in the final. This time I was determined to win. Right now I don't know what to say or how to react. I guess it hasn't quite sunk in,” said
Mehta.
It was a cagey match which went on for more than 3 hours for the players to reach the finish line. Mehta commented on the match and said it was not one of the good days for either player and trying something spectacular would have cost him.
Mehta added, “It was one of those days when things were not really going my way or for that matter, Alok's. So I decided to take what was on offer rather than try anything spectacular.”
Alok Kumar in the meanwhile complimented Mehta and said the best man won on the day.
Alok commented, “He played better and I am very happy for him. I was struggling throughout as I had not put in enough time to practice.”
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