UAE snooker champion Mohammed Shehab eyes an encore

Emirati in 'right frame of mind' after clean sweep of all domestic events following victory at National Day Snooker Championship.

The 36-year-old Mohammed Shehab found it difficult to control the cue ball due to humidity in the championship final on Monday. Courtesy UAE BSA
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Not content with dominating the 2012 UAE snooker scene, Mohammed Shehab is already planning to repeat his form next year.

The Abu Dhabi-based player cruised to a 5-0 win in the final of the National Day Snooker Championship at the expense of Eissa Ali Sayed on Monday evening.

The victory completed an unbeaten domestic season for the 36 year old as he won all the events on the calendar, but it was his latest success that gave him the most satisfaction.

"I am very happy that I have won this important event as well," he said. "Over the season, I have played all the strong players on the circuit and have beaten them.

"This should put me in the right frame of mind getting ready for the 2013 season."

The whitewash score line in the final at the Dubai Snooker Club was not a completely fair reflection of the performance of Sayed, who held his own in each of the frames but was unable to cope with Shehab's ability to find a crucial pot when required.

The UAE's No 1 player had quickly moved 2-0 clear after two tight frames, but Sayed seemed on course to putting one to his name in the third.

However, a spectacular pot on the last remaining red ended in an in-off allowing Shehab to come to the table and clear the colours to give himself a three-frame advantage in the best-of-nine encounter.

The fourth frame was once again close and Shehab sealed it on the last pink. With Sayed perhaps drained of the enthusiasm to fight back, Shehab cruised the fifth frame and took it comfortably to win the match.

Of the match, Shehab said: "Eissa is a very experienced player and you have to be on guard all the time against him.

"The conditions were humid and it made controlling the cue ball quite difficult as well."

Shehab's week, which saw him lose only four frames in the entire tournament, were well rewarded; he picked up Dh41,000 for winning the title.

He also won a further Dh4,100 after winning the highest break of the championship. His effort of 107 came in his last-16 match.