One hasn't seen anything quite like it in a snooker match, but it was more like the public following that Sachin Tendulkar enjoys back home, expecting a century from the maestro each time he walks out to bat.

Likewise, Wattana's status in Thailand has to be seen to be believed. After his loss on Sunday, the dapper cueist sprinted (no exaggeration here) from the table to the safety of the changing room. The media, including a posse of cameramen, gave chase, jumping over the barriers, slithering under the barricades.

It was as if the Papparazzihad come alive, chasing poor Wattana and not the late Diana. Finally, when Wattana found himself cornered, he uttered a few words before suddenly ducking out of sight and the chase began all over again, till the player dived into a car and vanished leaving the mediapersons gasping. Surely, as Geet Sethi pointed out, no player can withstand the kind of pressure, especially playing on home grounds. ''I can only sympathise with Wattana,'' said Geet.