Indian billiard ace Pankaj Advani created history on Sunday as he defeated defending and nine time champion Mike Russell to lift the title of World Professional Billiards. Pankaj has become the second Indian to win this title in 139-year-old history of the game.

Pankaj, winner of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 2005-06, outclassed Russell 2030-1253 in the final at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds, England.

Earlier in the day, Pankaj registered a thrilling win over Dhruv Sitwala in the semi-final to book his berth in the title round. Russell defeated Rupesh Shah of India 1366-880 in the other semifinal.

Pankaj had won the first world championship title in 2003 World Amateur Snooker Championship in China and he became the second player to win both amateur billiards and snooker world titles after winning the World Amateur Billiards Championship in 2005 at Qawra, Malta..