World Snooker Games gold medallist Aditya Mehta today said he was looking forward to his clash against former world champion Peter Ebdon in the Indian Open beginning October 14 in New Delhi.
"Ebdon is one of the legends of the game. We know how capable he is and how skillful he is. Still, there is a month to go for the tournament. I will prepare to the best of my ability and hope for the best," said Mehta, who is in city to take part in the 10th inter-unit Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) billiards and snooker championship.
Mehta became the first Indian to win the World Games title in July this year after comfortably defeating his higher-ranked Chinese opponent and pre-tournament favourite, Liang Wenbo, in the final in Columbia.
He is expected to run into eight-time world champion Pankaj Advani in the quarterfinals of the Indian Open -- a World Professional Ranking Snooker tournament, which is the first professional snooker tournament to be held in India -- as both the cueists have been drawn in the tourney's same half.
When asked about their expected clash in the last eight, Mehta said "That would be looking too far ahead. I am taking one match at a time. If we reach the quarters, one Indian is guaranteed a place in the semis, which would be very good for snooker in India."
Mehta said playing at home could be a double-edged sword.
"When we played abroad, there used to be only two to three people in the audience, who would clap. But, it could be good as well as bad as there will be the added pressure," he said.
"It always helps to have home support. It lifts our game to a good level," he said.
Advani, who is also participating in the PSPB tournament, said the snooker playing conditions are same across the world and that won't make much of a difference.
