Mumbai : Outstation players, Tanmay Raghuwanshi of Pune and Nisarg Patel from Surat in convincing fashion won their respective first round matches by identical 3-1 margins to advance into the second round of the Khar Gymkhana Open Handicap Snooker Tournament 2018, and played at the Khar Gymkhana Billiards Room.
In first round encounters, Raghuwanshi (+50) after an initial hiccup was in complete control and defeated Suresh Sawant (+45) of Mandpeshwar Civic Foundation109-91, 60-102, 110-65 and 99-92, while the Surat cueist Patel (+50) recovered after losing the first frame to overcome Umesh Marathe (+55) of Dadar Club by pulling off a 72-109, 118-90, 118-116 and 132-56 victory and stay in the competition.
Seasoned pro Chandresh Shah of Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana worked hard and produced a solid determined effort to sideline Selven Samuel of Otters Club by a close 3-2 margin in a thrilling first round encounter.
The vastly experienced Shah shared the first four with the Otters Club cueist and then showed his class in the decider which he easily won to close out a 129-70, 60-100, 98-68, 72-86 and 113-43 win.
Meanwhile, Shailesh Rao of Matunga hit top form and smoothly sailed past Kiran Chheda of Dombivali Gymkhana by recording a 3-0 win.
In another first round match, Rao (+50) was fully composed and potted steadily to knock the fight out of Chheda (+45) by storming to a 103-58, 102-68 and 106-92 win in quick time.