On Sunday 8 August, 1999, at the ballroom of the Taj Connemara in Chennai, India, Russell snatched away the Florsheim Profeessional Billiards championship, along with the world title. Former world champion and his good friend Peter Gilchrist was left in the lurch after a powerful beginning that lost steam towards the end.
The 2001-832 victory makes Russell the world number one as well as the world champion of billiards. Russell was a trifle slow in the starting block. Peter Gilchrist meanwhile, was able to knock off breaks of 85 and 99 which however, were neither crisp, clean or controlled.
But they had their effect on Russell who strode in with a 74. He then went on to break a vintage-Russell 294. Moreover, Gilchrist blew too many good chances of truly putting up a challenge. His overall play was patchy though he did manage to put in breaks of 115, 88, 72 and 84 the last three coming off consecutive visits. But, he always left Russell on when breaking down.
Russell responded withswift and solid runs of 192, 195 and 124 though he did lose cue-control when faced with the occasional mandatory baulkline crossing. A roaring 285-unfinished comeback proved to be the cincher, destroying all hopes for Peter Gilchrist before the break.
After the break, Russell on the victory lap, returned to finish the unfinished game at 332 before firing an exquisite 341 and another unfinished 245 to close out the match. This is Mike Russell's fourth World Championship title and there seem to be many more coming his way in the future.
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