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World Championship 2013: Jimmy White misses out on Crucible

Last updated on .From the section Snookercomments52

Jimmy White

Jimmy White missed out on this year's World Championship when he lost 10-5 to Robert Milkins in final qualifying.

The 50-year-old White, six times a Crucible runner-up, pinned some of the blame on a series of kicks.

Ken Doherty, the 1997 champion, battled back from 9-4 down but lost the decider to Matthew Selt.

Scotland's Alan McManus wants Monday's first-round draw to pair him with defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan after beating Tom Ford 10-5.

The 42-year-old McManus, twice a Crucible semi-finalist, said: "Masochistically, I would like Ronnie. I could quietly go about my business in the background while all the razzmatazz goes on.

"Regardless who I play, I'll be big second favourite, but to get a chance to play at the Crucible is massive for me.

"People might be surprised to see me and say, 'Are you still playing?' But the answer will be, 'Yeah, it's what I do'."

Like McManus, White was aiming to reach the first round of the tournament for the first time since 2006.

The Englishman shared the first four frames with Milkins at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, but his 37-year-old opponent took the next three to open a commanding lead in the best-of-19 frame match.

After falling 9-4 behind, White rallied to win the next frame.

But despite a break of 66, his highest of the match, the veteran lost the following frame to miss out on another World Championship.

"It is very disappointing after finding some form recently," said White.

"We both struggled with the table and there were a tremendous amount of kicks. If I had got to 9-7, I might have had a chance, but I got a kick on 66 or so, my highest break of the match.

"I will still be going up to Sheffield to support Ronnie O'Sullivan."

Peter Ebdon, the 2002 world champion, beat Norway's Kurt Maflin 10-8, while fellow Englishman Mark Davis saw off China's Liang Wenbo 10-6.

Former Crucible semi-finalist Joe Perry was beaten 10-3 by Sam Baird, 24, who will now make his World Championship debut.

Mark King beat Yu Delu 10-9 to leave Ding Junhui as China's sole representative at the Crucible this year.

The draw for the World Championship takes place on Monday, with the event getting under way on Saturday, 20 April.

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52 comments

  • Comment posted by User0055953142, at 01:05 15 Apr 2013

    @7
    Yes, I've lost count of how many times I watched Jimmy stumble drunkenly round the table luckily smashing in a 100 break.

    I'll wager £20 you're no older than 25, never saw him play, want a career in journalism, and think you're great, when in reality you smell of chips and disappointment.

  • Comment posted by User0854293796, at 08:09 15 Apr 2013

    @22 you are obviously a complete and utter prat

  • Comment posted by Fritz, at 23:17 14 Apr 2013

    It's wonderful that Jimmy and Steve Davis still obviously love the game and keep competing.

  • Comment posted by User0196104682, at 22:42 14 Apr 2013

    7 It is, or sadly was, his obvious (if you play the game) natural ability and playing style. You can tell a truly natural action when you see it, like O'Sullivan's: there's a fluidity to it thats just beautiful. That and his reflexive honesty on the table - total sportsmanship. Flawed characters? Maybe, but I'm not watching them on Big Brother, I'm watching them demonstrate a skill.

  • Comment posted by User0812207933, at 08:19 15 Apr 2013

    25.Mark1958
    9 Minutes ago
    @22 you are obviously a complete and utter prat

    Well Said

  • Comment posted by LadyLara, at 08:00 15 Apr 2013

    I've been watching snooker live for 20 years, and on the television for much longer and am concerned by the comments here. There seems to be a sense that the game is not moving on with the current top 16 getting the support they deserve. Players age and don't reach the finals as they did in their youth. Yes, Davis was good, so was Hendry. Please look at Selby and Trump et al, & cheer them on now.

  • Comment posted by Red KnIght, at 23:55 14 Apr 2013

    Jimmy and I are the same age group. Still not quite worked out how he never became world champion. Phenomenal player and a genuine natural talent.

    The man has given me years of pleasure and as a snooker fan I'd follow him anytime. Cheers Jim you are pure class.

  • Comment posted by Stuart, at 12:34 15 Apr 2013

    @38

    Live on talksport at 1330

  • Comment posted by User0297018838, at 14:14 15 Apr 2013

    46 - I see your viewpoint and I understand the pro's (the hype surrounding Faustino Asprillia to Darlo was incredible - shame it never happened). It does seem the pressures of being a top footballer does suck all the enjoyment out of it for a large number.

    Back on the snooker - I feel for Jimmy, but I have a nasty feeling this was his best and possibly last chance to get back to the World Champs?

  • Comment posted by Finchy, at 06:49 15 Apr 2013

    #7 Colin The Truth ............. Your comment makes me puke. It's players like White, Alex Higgins, Knowles, Thorn, Thorburn (who all liked a beer or two) who put snooker on the telly and got it where it is today.

    Are you 9 or 10 ? Did you ever see any of these guys play years ago ?

  • Comment posted by venezia1972, at 11:42 15 Apr 2013

    It's a shame not to see Jimmy White not at the World Championships, but you have to earn the right, same as everybody else. The BBC could still invite him him down to the Crucible to give his take on proceedings. He's such a nice fella. I just wish he wouldn't abuse alcohol as much. Maybe a Pot Black style tournament for the senior players is a good idea. Are you listening Barry Hearn???

  • Comment posted by User0138791583, at 23:59 14 Apr 2013

    The fact he came close to qualifying after years of rarely making the televised stages of ANY tournament is to be respected. He lost to a player in good form this season so he has nothing to be ashamed of.

  • Comment posted by User0006808927, at 13:43 15 Apr 2013

    #43 - Not meant as a dig.
    If Michael Owen turned out for Bury next season, would that not be a boost to the club? There's competition at every club and I didn't mean fill the team with older players.
    My point was more to do with JW still loving the game, while many of our older footballers seem to have fallen out of love with the game that drew them in as youngsters because they simply enjoyed it.

  • Comment posted by Gericalo, at 10:25 15 Apr 2013

    @26 . I'm sure he lost to Steve Davis in 1984

  • Comment posted by D1679301751159, at 01:11 15 Apr 2013

    @6
    He doesn't deserve anything. He has to earn it

    @7
    I agree.

  • Comment posted by User0701988252, at 11:46 15 Apr 2013

    I can't believe with Whites cash he wears that awful syrup !!

  • Comment posted by User0854293796, at 07:49 15 Apr 2013

    there are a few silly people here posting. I'm from the same era as Alex Higgins, Jimmy and Steve etc. and of course they did put snooker into the limelight, however, great talent abounds these days as well, welcome back Ronny and good luck. btw, Higgins was the absolute best to see live, drunk or not. Saw him a few times in Nottingham as I was an aspiring amateur snooker player myself.

  • Comment posted by GRANTCKING, at 12:19 15 Apr 2013

    what times the draw 2day, anyone know?

  • Comment posted by GRANTCKING, at 13:11 15 Apr 2013

    ty stuart

  • Comment posted by GRANTCKING, at 13:22 15 Apr 2013

    http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/sports-news/130409/video-world-snooker-championship-draw-watch-it-live-195297

    live stream for the draw if anyones intersted

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