Jimmy White slumps to defeat
Thursday, 8 December 2005Chinese teenager Ding Junhui clinched his third career win over English veteran Jimmy White on Thursday as his 9-3 win moved him into the last 16 of the UK Championships.
The 18-year-old, who built up an 8-0 lead in the first session of the second round match, will now play three-time Masters winner Paul Hunter for a quarter-final place.
White won the first three frames of the evening session with a top break of 106 before China Open champion Ding rattled in a long red to initiate a match-winning 77.
"I was happy with my game. Most of the crowd was supporting Jimmy and I was a bit nervous this evening but I'm looking forward to playing Paul Hunter," said Ding.
White, the champion here in 1992, was full of praise for his conqueror, 25 years his junior.
"He's a great player, every part of his game is quality. Everyone has a different style, but his all-round game is very good," said White.
"He's got a poker face, which is good for him. I think hell go on and do really well here."
Australia's Neil Robertson also breezed into the last 16 with a 9-4 defeat of Stephen Lee.
The world number 28 from Melbourne trailed 3-2 early in the match but finished the first session 5-3 up.
Wiltshire's Lee pulled one back with a 124 and led 52-0 in the next before Robertson cleared with 76 for 64.
Robertson added the next three for victory with 90, 55 and 33.
The former world under-21 champion could face world champion Shaun Murphy next, whom he beat 9-8 in the final qualifying round of this event last year.
"Shaun's coach Steve Prest said that was the best match he'd ever seen and we always seem to have good games," added the Aussie.
"I hope he gets through because I'd love to play him again."
