Vatnani looks to turn the tables
Lucky Vatnani
Deft touches coupled with razor-sharp long-range hits are the order of the day for cueist Lucky Vatnani. As the best in the business from across India slug it out at the ongoing selection camp in Hyderabad for the forthcoming World Cup, Vatnani stands head and shoulders above the rest for his calm demeanour.
“I like to keep a cool head when I am playing. Earlier, whenever I was pitted against a big name, I used to feel the nerves. But over the years, I have got used to it. The more you gain exposure, the better you feel about your game,” the 26-year-old told this newspaper.
“It is very important to know where your strengths lie, and work accordingly.
“When you know that you are playing well, it is crucial to get the best out of that phase,” Vatnani added.
The cueist made a mark on the snooker scene at the dawn of the millennium, when he won the Nizam Club Open in 2001, and has never looked back since.
Vatnani is in a good space both professionally and personally. While he has been steadily climbing the snooker ladder, he added a new chapter in his life when he got married last month.
“My wife is an independent woman. She has been a huge support. It is one of the best phases of my life and am thoroughly enjoying it,” said the MBA from the Sheffield Hallam University in England.
The current season saw Vatnani put up a brave show in the qualifiers of the prestigious Welsh Open. He came agonisingly close to outsmarting six-time world champion Steve Davis, before losing 3-4.
“That particular encounter against Davis was a memorable one. It gave me the confidence to take on anyone in the world, irrespective of what the final result was,” he said.
Speaking about the biggest change that he sees in his game, Vatnani said, “I am more confident now. I am able to achieve frame winning breaks in one visit.”
By frame-winning breaks, Vatnani meant that he was able to seal the deal at one go without giving any breathing space to his opponent.
With confidence and lady luck behind him, Lucky will be eyeing many fruitful outings in the coming months.
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