Kothari storms into final of international billiards meet

Melbourne: Reigning world billiards champion Sourav Kothari stormed into the final of the Pacific International Billiards with a thrilling win over Dhvaj Haria here on Thursday.

In Friday's final, Kothari will take on multiple-time world champion Peter Gilchrist of Singapore, who produced another classy display to outwit an in-form Dhruv Sitwala of India, 1250-823.

"It's a great feeling to play finals of billiards after winning the snooker event a couple of days back," said Kothari, who had become the first Indian to win a Triple Crown event by bagging the Pacific International Snooker Championship — The Reventon Classic earlier this week. After disposing off Robbie Chilcott of Australia rather comfortably 750-222 with big breaks of 243 and 193 in the long up format of 750 points, Kothari faced a tough challenge from seasoned Englishman Rob Hall in the quarter-finals.

To counter a massive break of 290 by Hall, Kothari had to bring in the required consistency with breaks of 197, 77, 77, 125, 98 and finished the proceedings with a well-crafted unfinished break of 165 to win 1000-684.