By the end of Saturday’s play, the winner of the 2020 edition will be crowned in Sheffield.
Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White meet each other in a mouthwatering World Seniors Championship semi-finals tie on Saturday at the Crucible.
The other last four clash will be contested between Irishmen Ken Doherty and Michael Judge, in what is a high-quality line-up to complete the tournament.
The most prestigious event on the World Seniors Snooker Tour carries a top prize of £20,000, as well as an invitation into the lucrative Champion of Champions on the Main Tour later this year.
All eyes will be on a Hendry versus White battle that rekindles so many old memories of yesteryear at the sport’s spiritual home.
The pair, boasting one of the greatest rivalries in the history of the game, encountered each other seven times at the Crucible Theatre between 1988 and 1998.
The “Whirlwind” won their first and last meetings, but Hendry famously triumphed in the other five – four of them in finals as he denied his rival an elusive victory in the professional World Championship.
Since the seniors tour has taken off, the roles have somewhat been reversed, as White has often dominated the circuit with a record five tournament victories to his name while Hendry has been unable to ever even reach a final.
The former is the defending world seniors champion following his success over Darren Morgan twelve months ago, but considering Hendry’s form so far this week the outcome appears too close to call.
After recently adopting Stephen Feeney’s SightRight coaching methods, the Scot has looked as sharp around the balls as he’s been since retiring from the professional circuit eight years ago.
Hendry produced an excellent performance against 2018 champion Aaron Canavan to reach the World Seniors Championship semi-finals, compiling four breaks above 50 with a pot success rate of almost 95%.
Later on Friday, White recorded a similar 4-1 scoreline to overcome 2017 champion Peter Lines in strong fashion as well.
It’s a pity that there will be no crowd in at the Crucible to savour the meeting between the two legends, but it is sure to be a memorable occasion nonetheless.
Flashes of the old Hendry there. Always good to see.
— David Hendon (@davehendon) August 20, 2020
Dublin duo Doherty and Judge will both subsequently attempt to reach the final for the first time in their seniors careers.
Doherty scored heavily to oust Morgan 4-2 in the last eight, while Judge used his experience to see off the challenge of Wayne Cooper.
The latter has been one of the most consistent performers on the seniors tour of late, and in October last year Judge stunned White to claim the UK Seniors Championship in Hull.
Victory for Doherty, though, would provide him with the opportunity to complete what would be a remarkable set of world titles.
The 50 year-old has already won the amateur World Championship, World Under-21 Championship, and the professional World Championship, so adding the seniors to his collection would be a unique achievement.
Live coverage is provided by the BBC in the UK, on digital platforms in China, and via the new Matchroom.Live streaming service around the world.
Pingback: Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White at the Crucible Theatre - SnookerHQ
Pingback: Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White at the Crucible Theatre - The History - SnookerHQ
Pingback: Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White at the Crucible Theatre – The History – Bouncing Bill