Jimmy White will be aiming to cause an upset when he takes on Jack Lisowski in qualifying for the Shanghai Masters on Thursday. Now 55, the Whirlwind continues to give his all at the top level and has enjoyed some decent results so far this season. Although qualifying events like this one have caused a few issues, White still made it to the third round of the Riga Masters, while he also reached the main draw of the Paul Hunter Classic.
The days of him famously reaching the World Championship final six times without success may well be behind him but he still looks a natural on the baize when his eye is in. Lisowksi himself has enjoyed a decent start to the season, making it through qualifying in five of his six tournaments to date, and appears in good form, having made the third round of the European Masters. At 26, Jackpot should be looking to kick on, with only a pair of quarter-final showings to his name so far in his career but like White, looks a natural when in amongst the balls, with 89 career centuries to his credit.
He also has the historical advantage over his veteran opponent, winning 5-0 in the 2015 edition of this event, while he triumphed 10-7 at the World Championships earlier this year. Therefore the Cheltenham-born star is perhaps rightly the 1/2 favourite but the Whirlwind’s recent form suggests there is life in the old dog yet. A White win is 7/5 and he could well succeed if he can find his rhythm early on in Wigan.
Shanghai Masters Qualifiers odds available at Dafabet.