Jimmy White Shines at Northern Ireland Open, Neil Robertson Secures Crucial Win

Posted : 22 October 2024

Veteran snooker player Jimmy White marked a significant milestone by reaching the last 32 of a ranking event for the first time in ten months, following a commendable 4-2 victory over Hossein Vafaei at the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open. At 62 years old, White remains determined to compete at a high level and has now secured three wins in this tournament, having previously defeated Paul Deaville and Jackson Page in the qualifying rounds.

His latest win was particularly notable as it came against the world number 24, Vafaei, who is 32 years his junior. White, a ten-time ranking event champion and a beloved figure in the sport for over 44 years, is set to face Martin O'Donnell in the next round.

Reflecting on his performance, White stated, "My game was there in parts, I potted some good balls." He expressed his enduring love for the game, noting his enjoyment in practicing and entertaining crowds.

Despite acknowledging that his consistency has waned with age, he remains confident that victories like his recent one can help him regain it. White also praised Belfast as a fantastic venue for snooker, recalling the legacy of great players like the late Hurricane Higgins, Dennis Taylor, and Joe Swail, along with the current talent of Mark Allen, which contributes to the city's vibrant support for the sport.

In another match, Neil Robertson fought hard to secure his place at the UK Championship and the Masters, achieving a narrow 4-3 victory over Graeme Dott. This win comes on the heels of Robertson's first ranking title in over two years, which he clinched at the BetVictor English Open last month, propelling him to 16th in the rankings. To maintain his top 16 status, Robertson must continue performing well in the International Championship, with the ranking cutoff determining his seeding for upcoming prestigious events.

The match between Robertson and Dott mirrored their 2006 Crucible final, with both players demonstrating impressive skill. Dott achieved breaks of 94, 52, and 76, while Robertson managed breaks of 58 and 54. The final frame of their encounter lasted 30 minutes, showcasing their competitiveness.

Robertson expressed satisfaction with the quality of play, stating, "It was enjoyable, we both played to a very good level and it was a big crowd." He is also in contention for the £150,000 bonus awarded to the leading money winner across the four BetVictor Home Nations Series events, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining momentum moving forward.

In other matches, China’s Zhang Anda staged a comeback from 3-0 down to level at 3-3 against Martin O'Donnell, only for O'Donnell to clinch the deciding frame. Newly crowned Wuhan Open champion Xiao Guodong faced defeat with a 4-2 loss to Jimmy Robertson, while Tian Pengfei recorded a 4-2 win over Si Jiahui. Additionally, Tom Ford secured a crucial 4-2 victory against Rory Thor, and Elliot Slessor topped the scoring with an 81 in his own 4-2 win against Joe O’Connor.

Jimmy White Shines at Northern Ireland Open, Neil Robertson Secures Crucial Win

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