Pankaj Advani

Advani retired from pro snooker in 2014 as he decided to focus on playing billiards.

Advani made a piece of snooker history in February 2013 by becoming the first Indian player to reach the quarter-finals of a world ranking event. At the Welsh Open he beat three former World Champions – Peter Ebdon, Shaun Murphy and Graeme Dott – to reach the last eight at the Newport Centre. Judd Trump ended his run by a 5-2 scoreline.

“I am surprising myself with this run but I’m just going with the flow and trying to keep winning,” said Advani after beating Dott. “It’s exciting to be playing against the best in the world, at the top level and under the best conditions.”

He also got to the same stage of the 2013 Indian Open.

Advani gained a place on the main tour for 2012/13 by reaching the final of the 2012 Asian Championship, although he lost to fellow Indian Aditya Mehta.

He is better known as a billiards player and is famous in India and beyond for his prowess in the game. He has won a host of world titles in billiards.

Advani also won snooker’s IBSF World Championship in 2003, beating Saleh Mohammed 11-5 in the final in China.