Despite the memory of his loss in the world professional billiards final on Sunday still fresh in his mind, Mike Russell is in a mood to look ahead. The living legend from England, who has had a long-standing rivalry with another cue sport great Geet Sethi, feels that new champion Pankaj Advani will be one of his main rivals in the coming days.

“He is young, he is hungrier and he is focused. He is just 24 and has a long way to go. I have shared a healthy rivalry with Geet Sethi in the last two decades and I guess I will have to now match strides with young Advani,” said the nine-time professional champion while speaking to The Indian Express from England.

Russell added that Advani had it in him to rule the world of green baize. “His potting is excellent. He has a flow in his game,” observed the 48-year-old.

‘Advani deserved it’

“I don’t want to take away the credit from the young man but I think my form in the final was really shocking. But Advani was in good touch and when you are in good form the ball always rolls in your favour. He deserved to win,” said Russell, the youngest ever winner of the world title at the age of 21 years and 1 month in 1989.

“I have learnt to take wins and losses in my stride. Theses things don’t bother me now at this stage of the career,” he said. “I will have to practise a lot and do things my way, the way I used to do. My late coach Jack Carnehm used to say never change when chips are down,” stated Russell, who was a frequent visitor to India in the 90s.

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