Patchy Sethi, steady Causier, enter last 8

In fact, it was just as well that Alok crumbled under pressure after coming within 100 points and Geet, ever the professional, moved in swiftly for the kill.

David Causier, the third seed, demolished Manoj Kothari 1001-441 in 180 minutes. Causier made just one century break 144 but was consistent enough to emerge a clear-cup winner with an average of 24.4 to also make the quarterfinals.

England8217;s Peter Sheehan 24 knocked breaks of 240 and 121 while routing Aditya Goenka 1001-494 en route to the last 16.

There were shades of World No 1 Mike Russell in Sheehan8217;s style and speed. Strong in pottingwith a rock solid bridge, Sheehan, ranked No 11, devoured points like there is no tomorrow.

In fact, apart from the two big breaks, Sheehan had just one run past the 50 when he fired an unfinished 96 at lightning speed to close the match.

Sheehan next takes on Australia8217;s No 4 ranked Robby Foldvari.

Shandilya wins: Ashok Shandilya was equally impressive in making the round of 16 with a 1001-554 win over Mukesh Rehani 1001-554. He now meets former champion Peter Gilchrist No.5.

Shandilya, a double gold medallist at the 1998 Asian Games, averaged 21.7 as he recorded two century breaks 125, 110, apart from five half-centuries, including a 99. The World No 9 took a while to settle down and fathom the mysteries of the new, single-shaven cloth that had the balls skidding as if on ice.

But once having got his bearings, Shandilya upped the gears and played some excellent top-of-the-table game, using the floating white8217; technique. Both the century runs could have been extended but for bad runs ofthe balls that ended the breaks.

Like Michael Ferreira on Tuesday, another giant of Indian billiards, Subhash Agrawal, yielded to youth when former National champion Rupesh Shah ousted him 1000-768 to set up a clash with the second seeded Russell in the pre-quarterfinals.

The Ahmedabad-based, 22nd-ranked Rupesh put in a consistent showing which saw him crack three centuries 102, 127, 147 while Agrawal No 13 managed a high of 127, which provided only a glimpse of his old self.

Earlier, the second round match between Ian Williamson England and B Bhaskar tested everyone8217;s patience with its slow pace. Consequently, the match was stopped after nearly four hours with Bhaskar leading 609-469, but with Williamson on a 124 unfinished break. The match will be continued later tonight.

Thursday8217;s fixtures pre-quarterfinals: 10 am: Robby Foldvari vs Peter Sheehan; Chris Shutt vs Devendra Joshi. 2 pm: Peter Gilchrist vs Ashok Shandilya; Nalin Patel vs Ian Williamson or B Bhaskar. 6 pm:Roxton Chapman vs Arun Agrawal; Mike Russell vs Rupesh Shah.