Jimmy White started his forty seventh season as knowledgeable participant on the World Snooker Tour with a 6-2 victory over Sean O’Sullivan on the China Open qualifiers.
The Whirlwind first joined the primary tour all the way in which again in 1980 and later grew to become one of the beloved figures within the historical past of the sport.
Infamously a six-time World Championship runner-up, White’s profession has additionally been one among success with ten rating titles, a Masters crown, and loads of different accolades to his identify.
Though match victories and deep runs in tournaments have confirmed elusive lately, the Londoner’s love of the sport has by no means waned.
White misplaced the opening body of his contest with O’Sullivan on the Mattioli Area on Wednesday, however he took the following three to ascertain a two-frame cushion on the mid-session interval.
O’Sullivan, who returned to the skilled circuit after graduating from Q Faculty final month, responded with a run of 51 to remain in contact.
However after White received the sixth, he shifted via the gears and rolled again the years with contributions of 112 and 59 to finish the first-round success.
“I’m delighted with the win and I performed properly,” White informed the World Snooker Tour. “We go once more tomorrow.”
“I nonetheless love the sport and I’ve been working laborious on the follow desk. I’m blissful too for Sean to be again on the tour, as a result of snooker is in his blood.”
The China Open, again on the calendar for the primary time since 2019, has adopted an analogous match format to the UK and World Championships.
Matches within the 4 preliminary rounds are held over the very best of 11 frames, with tiered entry that means the the upper seeds enter afterward.
Within the second spherical, White will conflict with Louis Heathcote as he continues his try to hitch the highest 16 on the essential levels in Taiyuan.
It was a busy schedule of matches, in the meantime, as the primary day of the 2026/27 season bought beneath manner in Leicester.
Whereas O’Sullivan couldn’t get his comeback off to a robust begin, loads of different returning gamers made their early mark.
Alfie Burden thumped Patrick Whelan 6-0 and fellow Englishman Andrew Higginson beat Leone Crowley 6-4.
Three out of the 4 gamers who emerged from the Q Tour additionally received, with Jamie Clarke, Ashley Carty, and Craig Steadman every advancing.
Thailand’s Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon, returning to the primary tour as a professional for the primary time since 2016 after coming via Asia-Oceania Q Faculty, beat Joshua Thomond.
Elsewhere, Reanne Evans secured a 6-4 overcome Alfie Davies, however Panchaya Channoi – who overcame Evans to win the Ladies’s World Championship title in Could – misplaced on her debut to Chen Ruifu.
Chen is one among a number of beginner top-ups making up the 144-strong area, with the likes of Robert Milkins, Mark Joyce, and Ryan Thomerson additionally making the most of the call-up.
The primary spherical concludes on Thursday morning earlier than the second spherical will get beneath manner later within the day.
The total draw is obtainable at snooker.org.
Featured picture credit score: WST
