After earlier sealing a thrilling 71-60, 82-47, 62-72, 6-61, 77-16, 1-84, 61-27 quarter-final win over Punjab's Alok Kumar that lasted a marathon three hours, Mehta returned to shock India No. 1 and title favourite Pankaj Advani of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board 75-55, 82-28, 0-76, 1-130, 83-24, 22-72, 63-24 in another absorbing three-hour semi-final battle.

Mumbai's Mehta set up a mouth-watering championship clash with twice Asian champion Yasin Merchant who overcame Rupesh Shah of Gujarat 51-64, 96-32, 18-76, 66-0, 63-26, 52-10 in the other semi-final.

As in the quarter-finals, Mehta surged to a 2-0 lead against Advani, who stormed back into the semi-final tie with brilliant breaks of 76 in the third and a masterly 130 in the fourth frame. But Mehta put behind Advani's sensational efforts to snatch the lead again before the latter levelled at 3-3 to force the decider. In the seventh and final frame, Mehta enjoyed crucial leads against his formidable opponent that helped him stay ahead before Advani realised he was out of the frame and match.

Both cueists were in good nick and this reflected when Mehta, who ignored Kumar's sudden threat and forged ahead 3-2 with a brilliant break of 63 in the fifth frame.

The seventh and final frame was a humdinger as Mehta held on dearly to a 35-16 lead with five reds and the colours remaining. Mehta put his supporters on the edge when he forfeited five crucial points while fouling on the blue after his T-shirt disturbed the green that was lying at the bottom cushion.

After much safety play by both, Mehta surged to a 42-21 advantage even as the versatile Kumar dared to break the monotony and attempt to pot three reds that, to his dismay, all rattled the jaw. It was only a brilliant long yellow pot by Mehta that paved the way and after he sunk the brown, Kumar realised he was out of the frame and the match.