My game plan was to score heavily: Pankaj Advani on win

India's ace cueist Pankaj Advani Tuesday revealed his game-plan behind winning the World Professionals Championship by defeating title-holder Mike Russell of Qatar at Leeds.

"My game-plan was to score heavily before Russell could get into the groove," a beaming Advani told reporters here on his return from London.

Reflecting over the five-hour final Sunday at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds where he defeated the nine-time champion (Russell) with a score of 2021-1253, Advani said the idea was to strike immediately with heavy score before Russell could warm up to the challenge.

"Though I have handled pressure and came out of close matches earlier, this final had tested me in all departments, as the playing conditions in Leeds were different and a tough draw made me bend backwards initially," the 24-year-old Bangalorean recalled.

In honour of his maiden victory in the World Professionals Billiards Championship title, the Karnataka State Billiards Association felicitated Advani with Rs.50,000 cash award and life-time membership.

The young Advani, who won the world amateur snooker championship in 2003, is the only second Indian after Geet Sethi to win the World Professional Billiards title in its 139-year history.

Sethi won the prestigious title in 2006 defeating Lee Lagan of Britain in the finals at Wales.

"As long as my mind is on the game, I do not bother about my opponents," the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award winner claimed.

On the future, Advani said he would have to constantly keep firing to be at the top in the international circuit and avoid playing snooker to concentrate all his energies in the game of billiards.

"I have answered my critics. Henceforth, I can enjoy my sporting career without having to prove anything more," Advani quipped without emotion.

Asked if he would like to train youngsters, Advani said though it would be a pleasure to do so, the new players would need lot of patience.

"Young players should understand that there is no instant success in billiards or for that matter in any game," he added.

On the prospects of India catching up with China and other countries in games and sports at the international level, Advani said the country had to produce a dozen Abhinav Bhindras, Saina Nehwals and Pankaj Advanis to become a strong sporting nation and compete with world class players.

Advani is also the reigning Asian champion with back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2009.

The Advani family moved to Bangalore from Kuwait in 1990 after a three-year stay in the Gulf region.

Last updated on Sep 8^th, 2009 at 22:55 pm IST--IANS