GAME, SET, MATCH
Jimmy White’s snooker World Championship dream OVER as 61-year-old legend is KO’d by teenager
White explained why he is still competing at his age
JIMMY WHITE’S hopes of reaching snooker’s World Championship ended with a 10-3 defeat to Chinese teenager Liu Hongyu.
The 61-year-old, a six-time Crucible runner-up, could not find a way back after trailing 7-2 overnight.
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White made a break of 69 to claim the 12th frame but Liu secured victory with a 64 in the next.
Liu, 19, plays Jack Lisowski in the third qualifying snooker round in Sheffield.
It was a painful evening for White, who had started his battle against Liu on Wednesday.
He found himself 5-1 as Liu made a break of 135 in the sixth frame.
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And they went into Thursday’s session with Liu 7-2 up.
White fell further behind before claiming the 12th frame.
But victory went to Liu with a break of 64 in the next.
Last year, White opened up over competing at top-level snooker at his age.
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He told the Mail: "Because I still amaze myself. I still make 147s. I play in exhibitions and can make five or six centuries.
“I've never been so good in practice. I know practice means nothing but if I didn't think I could still win, I'd go and play golf.
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"You hear footballers say they don't know what to do when they leave football
"When you take away that high of competing away from a sportsman. That is what I still love. I love competing.
“That high you get of trying to beat someone. Especially me at my age trying to beat all these youngsters. It's great."
Jimmy White's career victories
All his wins in ranking finals:
- The Classic, 1986
- Grand Prix, 1986
- British Open, 1987
- Canadian Masters, 1988
- The Classic, 1991
- European Open, 1992
- British Open, 1992
- Grand Prix, 1992
- UK Championship, 1992
- Players Championship, 2004
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