Faisal upsets Manan to improve quarter-final hopes

Mumbai, Jan 12 (PTI) Continuing his giant-killing spree,Faisal Khan of Railways whitewashed former India No 1 MananChandra of Bharat Petroleum 4-0 in the Ekta World Shyam ShroffMemorial All India Open Invitation Snooker Tournament at theKhar Gymkhana here today.

Faisal, who had shocked former junior national billiardschampion Shahbaz Khan earlier, thus improved his chances of aberth in the quarter finals with his third win from as manymatches in Group B against Chandra.

Faisal, who brought off two half century breaks, won84-25, 78-23, 84-33, 79-29 and the defeat was Chandra''s secondin three outings. The winner had significant breaks of 64 inthe third frame and 56 in the fourth.

In Group A, India No 2 Lucky Vatnani of Hyderabad edgedout Sourav Kothari of ONGC 4-3, while in Group D, Rafath Habibof Railways registered a crucial 4-1 win over Alok Kumar. Bothenhanced their hopes of a last eight berth.

Asian Games team silver medallist Yasin Merchant beatMaharashtra No 1 Rishabh Pandya of Indian Oil 4-0 for hissecond win in Group A. Merchant, who had a break of 89 in theopening frame, improved on it by firing the tournament''shighest break, an unfinished 101 in the fourth. (More) PTI SSRVKV SHN