Jimmy White has missed out on a place in the World Championship after a 10-5 defeat in qualifying to Joe Perry. The six-time finalist trailed 5-4 after a tight first session on Sunday but Perry won the first four frames when the clash resumed to establish a commanding lead.
The Whirlwind reduced the deficit with a break of 81 but Perry was not to be denied and won the next frame to set up a meeting with Mark Davis in the final round of qualifying. White hasn’t reached the World Championship proper since 2006 and will have to wait at least another year before he can compete in the biggest tournament in snooker again. Davis has only lost one frame in qualifying so far after whitewashing Michael Georgiou in his last match and Perry will need to be at the top of his game if he is to secure a spot at The Crucible. Ken Doherty, the 1997 winner, overcame Gerard Greene 10-4 to move into the final round of qualifying, where he will come up against two-time runner-up Matthew Stevens.
Doherty has suggested if he does reach the main event it will be his last time before retirement but Stevens will be in confident mood after an excellent comeback in his last match. The 40-year-old, who hasn’t qualified for the tournament since 2015, trailed China’s Yuan Sijun 9-7 but won the final three frames to move to within one win of a spot in Sheffield.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is the 15/8 favourite to win the World Championship outright, Mark Selby is 7/2 and Masters champion Mark Allen is 28/1.