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Dubai: Pankaj Advani has put himself in line for the 24th Asian Snooker Championship title after repeating a win that saw him clinch a sensational victory over Pakistan's Mohammad Saleh at the 2003 IBSF World Championship.
Then aged 19, Advani came back from 2-0 down to humble Mohammad 11-5 in the best-of-21 frame final in Jiangmen, China.
But as fate brought the pair face-to-face once again at the Dubai Police Officer's Club yesterday, the Indian once again proved his class as he staged a thorough whitewash, handing Mohammad a 5-0 beating in the best-of-nine last-16 match.
The win has bolstered Asian Games champion Advani's standing in the tournament, and he is the natural choice to go on and claim a title that many are saying will be rightfully his when the championship draws to a close tomorrow.
The 22-year-old though is in no hurry to land the prize, and says he will take it as it comes.
"I prefer living my life in the present and don't really worry too much about the future," said Advani.
"I am not the only guy who has an unbeaten record in this tournament so there are a few other guys out there who are good and who have been doing well."
It was a disappointing day for the UAE with all of its pre-quarterfinal entrants losing. Eissa Al Sayed was the first to depart losing 5-1 to Moh Keen Hoo of Malaysia, while Mohammad Al Joker failed to break his last-16 jinx at the event, losing 5-1 to China's A Bulajiang. Al Joker won his only frame after letting Bulajiang take a 4-0 lead, but the Chinese bounced back to send the Emirati packing.
UAE No 1 Mohammad Mustafa Shehab fought bravely against Khurram Agha coming back from 3-1 down to level it at four frames a piece. But despite leading 27-1 in the final frame, Agha made his experience count, recording a break of 78 that took the frame and the match away.
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