Russell overcomes slow start to pocket fourth title

Chennai, Aug 8: Mike Russell pushed himself to the brink of his mental and physical limits to carve out a 2001-832 win against close frie...

Chennai, Aug 8: Mike Russell pushed himself to the brink of his mental and physical limits to carve out a 2001-832 win against close friend Peter Gilchrist in the final of the Florsheim World Professional Billiards Championship at the Taj Connemara hotel on Sunday.

It was 30-year old Russell’s fourth World title, having won it in 1989, 1991 and 1996. But the latest was the “sweetest” he said, during the post-match press conference. “Chennai is a nice place and I have won five tournaments here and I hope they will again have the championship here next year,” said the World No 1.

Russell, after a tentative start, was in command as Gilchrist tried in vain to keep pace with his opponent. Consistency, the hall-mark of Russell’s play, was once again a decisive factor.

Russell seemed to be able to reel off huge breaks at will and it put Gilchrist under pressure. Gilchrist could hardly afford to commit a mistake as Russell would punish him. “That is why he is such a great player,” Gilchrist said after thematch. “I had my chances early in the contest, but somehow, I wasn’t able to capitalise.”

Eventually, it was not so much a matter of who missed when, but simply, Russell’s all-round game marked by great skills, confidence and cue-ball control.

The champion had gauged the strength of the cushions, the speed of the nap and split of the ball so accurately that when he played the floating white’ at the top of the table, it had a magical effect.

Often he struggled, like in the early part of the match, and sudden lapses in concentration prevented him from extending the two triple century breaks when he was in position.

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Russell appeared vulnerable only at the start when he seemed to sleep walk through the initial visits as Gilchrist, the 1994 champion, jumped ahead to 198-113. But then, Russell hit back in typical fashion to fire a 294, the first of his seven three-figure breaks to go in front. Russell continued with his remorseless grind with breaks of 192, 195, 124 and an unfinished 285 for a 1350-651lead at the interval. But few realised that at that juncture, Russell was on the verge of a mental and physical collapse from lack of sleep.

“Last night, there was a party on in the next room and I managed barely three hours of sleep. So, I was just not in a good shape for a 10 a.m. start. Towards the close of the first session, my knees were buckling, my eyes were closing and I just could not stand. The 2000 points seemed like a mountain. In fact, the break helped me to come back fresh after the interval,” said Russell.

In contrast, Gilchrist probably realised that his cause was lost when he found himself trailing despite breaks of 85, 99, 115, 88, 72 and 124 in the first session. “I guess, that was when I realised that the match had got away from me,” Gilchrist admitted.

The second session saw Russell stretching the unfinished 285 to 332 and followed it up with a 341 and finally, an unfinished 245 to stamp his authority.

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In contrast, Gilchrist could put together only 98 and 60. He was soengrossed in putting up a fight that he even forgot to cross the baulkline to end the break at 98.

Russell picked up –12,500 as the winner’s prize apart from another –1,000 for the highest break (582 unfinished) of the championship, while Gilchrist received –7,500.

SCORES

Mike Russell (England) bt Peter Gilchrist (England) 2001-832.

Breaks: Russell: 74 (8th visit), 294 (9th), 192 (12th), 195 (16th), 124 (18th), 332 (20th), 341 (25th), 245 unfinished (28th). Gilchrist: 85 (4th), 99 (7th), 115 (15th), 88 (17th), 72 (19th), 124 (20th), 98 (25th), 60 (26th).Averages: Russell 74.1 (71, 81.4); Gilchrist 31 (34.2, 22.6).