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.
GettyJimmy White crashed out of the World Championship after losing to a 19-year-old[/caption]
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.
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.
“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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