FORMER national number three Nitesh Chand caused the biggest upset of the third National Ranking Tournament in Suva yesterday.
Chand beat veteran Suman Lal 3-5 to eliminate him from the Fiji Bitter and Carz and Carz sponsored competition at Merchant Club.
Lal, a former national champion, was one of the favourites in the Super Premier competition as he had won the first ranking tournament earlier in the year.
A win in this tournament would have solidified his position as the nation’s number one player for 2012.
However, Lautoka Club player Chand did not allow that to happen as he won the deciding frame 67-24 after Lal came from behind twice to draw level 2-all.
Chand went on to beat Ashneel Nan 3-nil in the quarter-final last night to become the first player to qualify for the semi-finals.
In the other quarter-finals, Viliame Umu beat Ba’s Ali Boy 3-1, Pritesh Khatri edged Mahen Deo 3-2 and Praneel Singh beat Esala Talebula 3-0.
Chand faces Umu in the first semi-final today while Singh, will be up against Khatri.