Sports, Nov 2009 Important News

• The 24-year-old Pankaj Advani outclassed Mike Russell at Leeds to become the 2009 World Professional Billiards Champion. In a surprising one-sided five-hour final he outclassed Russell 2031-1253. With this, he finally conquers the ONE title that has eluded him for long. With this Advani became the Second Indian to win the professional crown after Geet Sethi. There’s more as the Bangalorean is also the first to own all the titles one can think of in billiards. He is the reigning IBSF World Champion in both formats (time and points), Asian Champion and the National Champion. For sure, it is mind-boggling. Result (Final) Pankaj Advani (Ind) bt Mike Russell (Qat) 2030-1253

Ist Session: – (1070 (132,93,170,91,226,93,101,106) – 418,672,193)
2nd Session: – 960 (85,97,136,147,106,71) – 835 (100,219,93,52,129).

• India’s Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouhy of the Czech Republic had won the U.S. open Doubles Title, beating Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the final in New York on September 14, 2009. Paes now has 10 Grand Slam Titles- Six in Men’s Doubles and Four in Mixed Doubles. Leander and Dlouhy Como had also won the French Open this year and Paes leads the head-to-head with Mahesh Bhupathi 10-9.
• Olympic Bronze Medalist Vijender Singh once again had to settle for a bronze as Uzbekistan’s Abos Atoev trumped him 7-3 in the semifinals of the World Championships, Milan, Italy on September 12, 2009, Vijender’s Bronze medal winning performance is by far the best ever performances given be Indian pugilist in the world’s.
• India had won the Compaq ODI tournament at the Premadassa Stadium in Colombo on September 14,2009. Riding on Sachin Tendulkar’s 138 and Off-Spinner Harbhajan Singh’s five for 56, India defeated Sri Lanka by 46 runs. Chasing an imposing 320 under the lights, the host was dismissed for 273 in the 47th over. With his variety of strokes, India’s Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar reached his 44th ODI Hundred. He was adjudged Man of the Match and player of the Series.