Pankaj Advani aims for another world title

BANGALORE: Having played very little of the sport since his last World billiards conquest in 2012, ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani would be looking to make up for lost time when the World Billiards Championship gets underway at Leeds, UK on Monday.
Billiards being one of the reasons for the Bangalorean to give up his professional snooker tour card a couple of months ago, Advani said he was looking forward to playing the Worlds after a gap of two years."I'm very excited to be playing the World billiards again," Advani told TOI before leaving for Leeds on Saturday.
Advani did admit that having played snooker at the highest level over the last two years, getting back into the billiards mode was a trifle tough. "It required more focus and I would say I had to work harder to get back my billiards touch and technique," Advani said.
The 29-year-old, owner of eight World billiards titles and two snooker titles, said that by the time event gets underway, he would be primed to take on the best in the world.
"I have not played extremely well in practice but at the same time I feel that I'm slowly regaining my touch. Hopefully when I reach Leeds and play on those new conditions, get the feel of competing at the highest level of billiards, I think that will motivate me to raise my game."
Advani, however, added that lack of match play could be a factor at the Worlds.
"I've played a few matches this year, but not at the highest level and being away from tournaments for two years would obviously play a huge role," Advani pointed out.