TORONTO, Aug 31: Open Pairs, the most exciting event of the World Championships, is heading for an exciting finish as Zia Mahmood, an American of Pakistani origin, and his partner Michael Rosenberg battled for whole day in Montreal Friday to keep their lead and title hopes alive. The gold medal race will come to an end with last session to be played Saturday.

After two stormy sessions Friday, another American pair Brenner-Chagas staged a magnificent fightback with a score of 63.13 percent which pushed them to second spot.

Third are Italy’s Fantoni/ Nunes, who also came from behind to join the front runners. Eisenberg/Kass of France also made a big fourth-session move, scoring 62.79% to take over fourth place, with several pairs close behind them.

Pakistani players Rashid Jaffer and Sultan Siddiqui, failed to overcome their poor start Thursday when first two sessions were held.

They did slightly better in Friday’s third and fourth session but still they look like fighting a losing battle.

Three American pairs fill the medal positions in the Women’s Pairs going into the final session Saturday. Allison/Sutherlin are having fragile lead over other pairs. As Rosenberg eyes the Pairs title, his wife Debbie is hopeful of winning the women’s gold.

Bulgaria has been represented by only two players in Montreal but that has not stopped it from taking a gold medal. Christo Drumev and Ivan Tanev won the World Senior Pairs Championship in grand style yesterday.