Snooker: Alok makes impressive start to title hunt

Reigning champion Alok Kumar (PSPB) opened his title defense by breezing past Abhay Kadne of Maharashtra 3-0 in a Group A match of the MIG Club 3rd Masters Snooker championship on Friday. Punjab-based Alok quickly got down to business and, with Kadne unable to offer much resistance, was in complete control.

Alok compiled a break of 51 in the third frame to record a fluent 56-33, 89-23, 88-1 victory. Maharashtra's Sarang Shroff had a very fruitful day winning both his matches in Group-J in convincing fashion against opponents from Gujarat.

He first outclassed Amish 3-0 (78-16, 68-22 and 83-1) in the afternoon and later charged past Rahul Agrawal, also in straight frames (62-11, 68-55 and 75-16). In another match that went the distance, Maharashtra's Bapu Gaikwad showed tremendous fighting spirit to snatch a 3 -2 win against Ishtmit Singh Malik of Uttar Pradesh in Group- C.

Gaikwad clinched a black ball decider to record a 44- 36, 93-57, 19-69, 47-60, 55-46 win.