Jimmy White – ‘I’m fighting to stay on the tour’

Jimmy White produced another promising performance with a 5-1 defeat of Peng Yisong in the German Masters on Wednesday.

The 60 year-old became the oldest player to reach the last 16 of a ranking event since the 1992 British Open, a tournament he won.

Breaks of 82, 70, 63, 55, and 50 helped the former world number two secure a second-round meeting against Jack Lisowski.

It has been a resurgent period for White, who in November won four matches at the UK Championship qualifiers to reach the venue stages in York.

The Whirlwind has relied on invitational tour cards to prolong his professional tenure in recent years, but his displays this season have put him in a strong position to earn a fresh two-year card through his results on the table.

While breaking into the top 64 remains unlikely, White is provisionally well-placed to earn one of the four tour cards available via the one-year rankings list.

“The first couple of frames were a bit scrappy,” Jimmy White told the World Snooker Tour after his confident victory over the young Chinese competitor.

“I managed to win the third frame, and then from 2-1 I managed to click into gear. I played some good stuff, what you have to play to win.”

“I didn’t know the guy too well. I know he beat Mark Selby, who can play, so it was a bit difficult trying to find out what his strengths and weaknesses were.

“But when I got in the balls, I fancied winning the frames, so that was good.

“I’ve got my son working with me full-time. He’s enthusiastic like me so the tables are brushed and ironed, and he makes sure I’m doing my two-to-four hours of practice.

“I’m practicing different parts of the game and safety play – I didn’t used to do to too much of that. I’m just really enjoying playing and want to compete.

“I’m fighting to stay on the tour. On the one-year list I’m on, but I need to go deep in either this tournament or the Welsh (Open).

“If I can get to Sheffield knowing that I’ve secured my place, it would be a lot of pressure off me.

“I’m really looking forward to it (playing Lisowski). Jack has a lovely style of play, it’s fantastic to watch. This is the perfect arena for me to play a young gun like Jack.”

Lisowski, meanwhile, reached the second round with a comprehensive 5-0 thrashing of Zhang Anda that featured a high contribution of 117.

Among the others to advance on the first day at the Tempodrom were former champion Kyren Wilson, fellow Englishman Elliot Slessor, and Chinese duo Xiao Guodong and Tian Pengfei.

The first round concludes on Thursday with Neil Robertson and Luca Brecel entering the fray, before the last 16 commences during the evening session.

With odds of around 5/2, Robertson is the favourite for the German Masters title at most Irish and UK snooker betting odds sites.

Last 32

Times in GMT

Tom Ford w/o Zhao Xintong
Tian Pengfei 5-1 Anthony McGill
Jimmy Robertson w/o Zhao Jianbo
Sam Craigie 2-5 Kyren Wilson

Peng Yison 1-5 Jimmy White
Jack Lisowski 5-0 Zhang Anda
Xiao Guodong 5-4 Fan Zhengyi
Ellior Slessor 5-2 Joe O’Connor

Neil Robertson vs Joe Perry (Thurs, 2pm)
Chris Wakelin vs Si Jiahui (Thurs, 9am)
Matthew Stevens vs Luca Brecel (Thurs, 9am)
Robert Milkins vs Daniel Wells (Thurs, 2pm)

Louis Heathcote vs Cao Yupeng (Thurs, 9am)
Ali Carter w/o Li Hang
Ricky Walden w/o Yan Bingtao
Pang Junxu vs Ross Muir (Thurs, 2pm)

Last 16

Times in GMT

Tom Ford vs Tian Pengfei (Thurs, 7pm)
Jimmy Robertson vs Kyren Wilson (Thurs, 7pm)

Jimmy White vs Jack Lisowski (Thurs, 7pm)
Xiao Guodong vs Elliot Slessor (Thurs, 7pm)

N. Robertson/Perry vs Wakelin/Si (Fri, 1pm)
Stevens/Brecel vs Milkins/Wells (Fri, 1pm)

Heathcote/Cao vs Ali Carter (Fri, 1pm)
Ricky Walden vs Pang/Muir (Fri, 1pm)

Live coverage of the 2023 German Masters schedule will be available in Ireland, Britain, and across Europe via Eurosport.

Other options are available for viewers around the world, which you can view by clicking here.

Featured photo credit: WST