May 12, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 6, 1429

DUBAI, May 11: Jin Long of China demonstrated lethal form on Saturday night to thrash Aditya Mehta of India 7-3 in the final of the 24th Asian snooker championship at the Dubai Police Officers Club Hall to regain his crown after six years.

Aditya, 23, smashed a splendid break of 101 after losing the opening frame to Long. But the 27-year-old responded in stunning fashion with dazzling break of 105 in the third frame.

Long, then, dominated the next four frames by sinking the multicoloured ball to secure 6-1 lead to put Aditya under pressure.

The Indian won eighth and ninth frames to make it 6-3.

Long picked the next frame to seal the fate of the final which was played for around four hours.

The Chinese received the winner’s trophy and $2,500 prize money while Aditya received runner-up’s trophy and $1,200.

Pakistan’s Saleh Mohammad was presented $5,000 and a watch worth 5,000 UAE dirham for playing the first-ever break of 147 in the history of Asian snooker championship.

In the match for third place, Malaysia’s Moh Keen Hoo defeated India’s Pankaj Advani 3-2.

The Indian won first and third frames to take 2-1 lead. But, the Malaysian bounced back with breaks of 47 and 51 in the fourth and fifth frames to take the decisive lead.

Results:

Final:

Jin Long (Chian) bt Aditya Mehta (India) 65-43, 01-101, 106-0, 56-10, 67-14, 70-01, 50-27, 46-52, 47-70, 63-28.

Third place play-off:

Moh Keen Hoo (Malaysia) bt Pankaj Advani (India) 01-123, 61-14, 13-71, 108-01, 78-09.—APP