Jimmy White Wins Thriller to Keep World Championship Dream Alive

In a gripping late-night encounter, snooker icon Jimmy White kept his dreams of a World Snooker Championship return alive by defeating Ukrainian amateur Anton Kazakov 10-9 in the first round of qualifying. The marathon match, which lasted over nine hours and finished at 1:22 am on Wednesday morning, showcased the 62-year-old veteran’s remarkable stamina and composure under pressure.

White, who has been attempting to reach the main draw of the World Snooker Championship for the first time since 2006, found himself trailing 7-3 after Kazakov won five consecutive frames. However, the six-time world championship finalist responded with six straight frames of his own, including a vintage 126 break in frame 12, to take a 9-7 lead.

Kazakov, just 20 years old, refused to give in and won the next two frames to force a deciding 19th frame. Despite the late hour and the high stakes, White held his nerve, winning the final frame 69-43 to secure his place in the second qualifying round.

The match, which began at 10 am on Tuesday, was witnessed by only a handful of dedicated spectators at Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport. White’s victory was a testament to his enduring skill and mental fortitude, as he continues his quest to return to the iconic Crucible Theatre.

White will now face world No. 71 Ashley Carty in a best-of-19 frames match on Friday morning. Should he win his next three qualifiers, it would be one of the most remarkable stories in recent snooker history, given his 18 consecutive unsuccessful attempts to qualify for the flagship event since 2006.

Meanwhile, defending champion Kyren Wilson is set to begin his title defence on Easter Saturday, while seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has yet to decide if he will participate in this year’s championship.

Key Takeaway:
Snooker legend Jimmy White, 62, moved one step closer to a long-awaited return to the World Snooker Championship main draw with a thrilling 10-9 victory over Anton Kazakov in the first round of qualifying. White’s determination and skill were on full display during the marathon match, which lasted over nine hours and finished in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The veteran now faces three more qualifying matches to secure his place at the Crucible Theatre for the first time since 2006, with his next challenge being a best-of-19 frames encounter against world No. 71 Ashley Carty on Friday morning.