Shehab, Al Joker on fire in World title openers

Dubai: UAE cueists Mohammad Shehab and Mohammad Al Joker got their 2009 ONGC IBSF World Snooker Championship campaign off to a flying start by winning their opening matches in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad.

Nearly 250 cueists from 60 countries are participating in the event, which runs until November 25. Competition takes place in four categories — Under-21s, Men's, Women's and Masters.

Fighting from Group G, Al Joker steamrolled Omar Al Kojah of Syria 4-0 before turning his attention to England's David Craggs, against whom he scripted a dominating 4-1 win.

Shehab, too, exhibited demolishing form on Day One of the tournament. And the UAE No 1 wasted no time in thrashing India's Kamal Chawla 4-0. Shehab will face Swede Suleman Salam today.