After a gruelling quarterfinal battle against Mahesh Jagdale, Rishabh Thakkar secured his spot in the grand finale of the BSAM presents Malabar Hill Club State Ranking Tournament ‘24 by defeating tournament favorite and top seed Rohan Jambusaria with an impressive 4-0 victory in the semifinal.
Unlike his previous matches, Thakkar’s scoresheet showed no big breaks, yet he delivered consistent and strategic small-scoring visits that helped him outmaneuver his well-fancied opponent. Across the four frames, Thakkar managed at least 7 breaks of 50 or higher, showcasing his B game after a physically and mentally taxing quarterfinal.
“I didn’t manage any big breaks in this match, but I didn’t let it affect me. My focus was on occupying the table rather than just playing my opponent. I noticed Rohan struggling to find his rhythm, which allowed me to play at my own pace and rely on small but damaging visits that ultimately won me the game,” Thakkar shared.
Thakkar’s consistent performance throughout the tournament is a testament to his dedication. Having spent significant time at the table, he has worked hard to regain his peak form. Following his participation in a handicap billiards event in Bangalore, Thakkar also competed in a tournament in the UK last month. His recent wins over former 6-Red Snooker World Champion Sri Krishna and former Billiards World Champion Saurav Kothari have been crucial in boosting his confidence.
After being off the radar for a while, Thakkar is determined to reclaim the No.1 title. However, he faces stiff competition from his contemporary, Vishal Madan, in what promises to be a thrilling grand finale.
Stay tuned for the ultimate showdown of the BSAM presents Malabar Hill Club State Ranking Tournament ‘24, and we’ll be here to provide live updates from the prestigious Malabar Hill Club.
It’s drop-top-never-stop – it’s #mhcshowdown, brought to you by #bsam.
