Leeds: Seven-time world champion Pankaj Advani and veteran Geet Sethi along with Dhruv Sitwala secured comfortable victories over their respective rivals on the opening day of the World Billiards Championships here.

Advani defeated Austria’s Martin Schmidt 874-149 in his opening fixture and then went on to win the second game against Martin Budge of Guernsey 732-183 in the Time Format.

Sethi put paid to the hopes of Jonny Evans of England 687-168 while Sitwala thrashed Ryan Mears of England 702-134 in his first game and hardly broke a sweat against compatriot Arantxa Sanchis to win 686-122 in Group C.

Nine cueists took part in the qualifying stage and Indian duo of Manish Jain and Jaiveer Dhingra along with Englishmen Martin Goodwill and Ian Williamson gained berths in the main draw. Goodwill defeated India’s Alok Kumar to make the grade.

For the first time, 18 Indian cueists are taking part in the World Championship, which has attracted 65 players from 15 nations.

(PTI)