Anupama, outplays Amee in final, wears billiards crown

It was payback time at the HL City Star Academy on Monday. IBSF World snooker champion Anupama Ramachandran, who lost the National snooker crown to Amee Kamani on Sunday evening, avenged that defeat in the final of the women’s National billiards championship in Bahadurgarh, Haryana.

Although the one-hour final was bereft of big breaks, the Tamil Nadu cueist made the most of the chances that came her way for a rather comfortable 197-112 victory and dash her famed rival’s hopes of a double crown.

The Chennai player put the snooker debacle behind her and focused on the task at hand. Even though catching a flight home in the evening was at the back of her mind, the 23-year-old seemed to enjoy the game, which in turn helped her to dominate Amee en route to her second National billiards title.

“A National title is always special, and it feels great to have won it,” said Anupama, who along with Amee and Vidya Pillai, will figure in the Heyball World Cup that begins in Brisbane on Friday.

Earlier in the semifinals, Anupama defeated veteran R Umadevi of Karnataka 134-101. In the other last-four stage clash, Amee had to wage a grim battle before overcoming Tamil Nadu’s L Shruthi 160-146.

In the bronze medal playoff, Shruthi edged out Umadevi in a thriller at 152-140.

Results: Final: Anupama Ramachandran (TN) bt Amee Kamani (MP) 197-112.

Third-place playoff: L Shruthi (TN) bt R Umadevi (Kar) 152-140.

Semis: Anupama bt Umadevi 134-101; Amee bt Shruthi 160-146.

Final standings: 1. Anupama Ramachandra; 2. Amee Kamani; 3. L Shruthi; 4. R Umadevi; 5. Ishika Shah; 6. Snenthra Babu (TN); 7. Aanya Patel (Guj).