It’s hard time for Chawla

Kamal Chawla got the better of veteran Alok Kumar in the quarterfinals of the CCI Platinum Jubilee Open here on Wednesday.

The boy from Bhopal beat Kumar 5-2 (68-36 74-35 85-28 56-72 60-81 69-19) to reach the semifinals. Chawla may have won his game but he said there was more tension on the outside than on the table. I am finding it difficult to cope up financially,” said the 29-year-old.

But isn’t the Western Railway, who are his employees looking into things? “Well, they are but they are only concerned about railway tournaments. I am spending my own money most of the time and being posted as a clerk has not helped me,” said Chawla.

“I was in Mumbai for three years (2002-04) but it was just not feasible as I had to travel from Daihsar to Churchgate everyday. I asked for a transfer back to Bhopal,” added Chawla. The fifth seed though said that he is focused on his upcoming tournaments and Thursday’s semifinal.

“I can crib all I want but I know that nothing is going to happen. I am 29 now and I see myself playing for just a year or two. I have done my MBA and am working for a friend’s company,” said a disheartened Chawla.

Of all the problems though, he is most worried of the affect on his game. “I want to play well and win. This is only possible if I am mentally strong and have time to practice,” he said.

Chawla, faces Pankaj Advani who beat Rupesh Shah 5-3 (78 (54)-21 29-77 84-1 49-60 76-42 72-14 20-64 79-69). Both players did not allow each other any room and it looked to go to the last frame, if not for Advani’s brilliance.

After having gone 4-3 up, Advani was looking to concede the eighth with Rupesh 69-14 up. But, the Bangalore lad showed some class play as he reversed the score 79-69 in his favour. In the other semifinal, Yasin Merchant will face Shahbaz Khan.