Russell storms into final

By G. Viswanath

MUMBAI, APRIL 14. Taking a place in the final of the World championship event is all quite routine to Mike Russell. He made it to the title match for the tenth time on Saturday defeating the remarkably talented David Causier 1539-1425.

His peers who acknowledge his exemplary skills and admire him for his passion for the sport were somewhat loath to predict that the Mega Ace sponsored event would be akin to a one- horse race. As competitors and more so as professionals they had every right to see themselves as possible finalists and winners. But after the first semifinal of the popular championship held in the city, Russell left no in doubt that he will be gunning for his fifth title and prize money of 12,500 pounds in the four-hour final on Sunday.

Russell's opponent in the final will be Peter Gilchrist for whom it was a last gasp effort that saw him through to the title match. For four hours Gilchrist and Australian Robbie Foldvari contested a battle royal they even carried it on to the Media Room. Certainly it was not in banter that Foldvari told Gilchrist that he was peeved by his trips outside the hall to pay attention to his cue. This was immediately after Gilchrist explained that he had fixed a new tip on Friday night and he felt a little comfortable for better part of the first session.

It was quite a fierce exchange between the two with Gilchrist getting even with the Australian. He got up from his chair and told Foldvari in as many words that he was upset when he (Foldvari) left the table to wipe his cue in the second session. But in the end Foldvari had a few good words for Gilchrist. ``Anyway you played a solid game towards the end.'' Gilchrist, given one last chance, made an unfinished break of 97, which actually saw him clinch the semifinal. Foldvari got a taste of his own medicine, when Gilchrist took his own time and made sure that he did not leave the table.

Russell is a true professional. He did not let his concentration waver when he sensed the approaching trouble from Causier. The lead up matches to the semifinals had the desired effect on him. He was put through the wringer by India's Ashok Shandilya in the two-hour session last Wednesday. He was happy he got through that opening match. The very next day he beat a hard customer in Roxton Chapman, but was genuinely critical of his performance, despite cracking a 300 plus break. He promised to come back rectifying his cueing action. He had sufficient time on Thursday to sharpen his skills and come prepared to take on Causier mentally strong.

The first half of the semifinal had left Russell leading at 797- 503 and with an unfinished run of 65. The lead was considerable, in excess of 350 points. But Russell did not become complacent and underestimate Causier who had logged over 2000 points in the previous match against Chris Shutt. And as it transpired Causier neatly collected 330 points in his first two visits in the second session, the 20th visit break of 252 nearly nullifying the lead Russell enjoyed at the interval.

By the third hour Causier had reduced the lead to a 100 points. It was now that Russell played like a champion. He constructed a brilliant 389 that in Causier's words, ``showed the killer instinct in him.'' Russell played near perfect billiards, showing soft hands to keep the balls on top of the table. As is his wont he played the floating white. Even when it appeared that he would allow the break to reach its unknown potential, he missed what was a straight pot red.

``I thought I had played a perfect shot. There was nothing wrong with that. I hit it hard, but the red jumped out of the jaw. I thought I played well today. I knew he (Causier) was going to come hard after the break. He had done this before a few years ago. And that's what happened, even if I left the table with difficult in-offs for him. He just banged them for cannons and came back to positions to build breaks. It was amazing how he managed to do that. He came back battling. Now I know I am going to play very well in the final,'' said Russell.

Russell started the first session showing good form with breaks of 35 and 44 before getting into position on top of the table to make his first century break. He followed it with a 78 and 113 before seizing another opportunity in the second hour.

The balls really rolled nicely for him to run up a 269. He left the first session with an unfinished 65. Causier's best efforts were 115 and 112 and small scores of 64, 69 and 55, Most often he broke down on the red pot.

After the match Causier attributed the failed pot reds to lapses in concentration. He returned for the second session with renewed vigour. Russell spent the time in contemplation (when Causier made 252) and hit back with a 389. ``He played extremely well under pressure. The near 400 was an exceptional break. I am extremely disappointed. I would have been the favourite in the final if I had beaten him. Without doubt. I think I play a very good allround game. That's my strength,'' said Causier who fought till the very end.

Foldvari's optimism at the interval (272-492) stemmed from the fact that he would resume the second session at an unfinished 81. But he added only 14 more points to it. Gilchrist, a strong player, did not see the balls rolling in his favour and two good breaks by Foldvari - 130 and 98 - saw him trail mid way through the second session. The match was proceeding at a an appallingly slow pace with Foldvari regaining the lead at 751- 654.

Finally Gilchrist made the most of a couple of `leaves' by Foldvari. He hammered a 87 of the first and followed it with an unfinished 97 which in the end put him ahead by 81 points. ``I will have to improve my game. I have to go down and practice for a couple of hours,'' said Gilchrist, when he was asked his thoughts on going into the final against an in form Russell.

The results: Semifinals: Mike Russell (Eng) 1539 (146, 113, 269, 389) bt David Causier 1425 (115, 112, 252, 117, 133uf); Peter Gilchrist (Eng) 832 (182, 102, 97uf) bt Robbie Foldvari (Aus) 751 (130).

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