Gaurav M. Jaisinghani fights back to down Rajiv Adani in first round

Gaurav M. Jaisinghani came from behind after losing the opening two frames to snatch a remarkable 3-2 victory against Rajiv Adani of Matunga Gymkhana in a best-of-five frame, first round match of the Rs 12.25 lakh prize-money CCI All India Open Snooker Championship at the CCI’s Wilson Jones Billiards Room on Saturday.

The Vashi cueist looked to be down and out as Adani grabbed his chances to pocket the first two frames and was within distance of coasting to victory. But, Jaisinghani seemed unfazed and recovered his touch to take the next three frames in succession and turn the match in his favour. He completed a 28-64, 5-83, 71-25, 79-47, 69-14 win to advance to the next round.

Meanwhile, Puru Dembla from Agra staved off a spirited challenge from Rajesh Rana of Cricket Club of India to pull off a close 3-2 win in another first round encounter. The cueist from Agra quite comfortably grabbed the first two frames, but was unable to maintain the momentum in the next two frames. The home player Rana did well to win the third and fourth frames by close margins and take the match to the fifth frame. The decider also witnessed a keen contest as the scores ran close before Dembla managed to hold his nerves to pocket the crucial fifth frame and  clinch a 66-27, 53-28, 36-43, 44-48, 62-59 victory.

Neville Razmi of Radio Club also came through a tight first round encounter against Chandu Kansodaria of Mandpeshwar Civic Federation, posting a 3-2 win. Neville played with lots of determination to record a 62-52, 78-33, 66-69, 9-65, 68-30 victory and join his young son Shahyan in the second round.