Jimmy White wasted little time in dispensing with Nigel Bond tonight as he secured his first world ranking semi-final place for nearly three years at the UK Championship in York.
The Whirlwind, who led 5-3 after the first session of play courtesy of six 50-plus breaks, was swiftly back into the groove and beat Bond 9-3.
The 41-year-old will now meet Matthew Stevens, who defeated Paul Hunter 9-3 in today's other quarter-final.
"I was fairly solid; I didn't score that heavily, but my important pots were good," said White. "I'm playing my B-game at the moment. I'm not firing on all cylinders, but let's hope it connects against Matthew."
It was also plain sailing for Stevens who, having led 6-2 at the interval, took little more than half-an-hour to book his place in the last four.
A century break in the opening frame of the first session from Stevens set the tone for the match, and the Welshman was at it again with a superb 104 in the opening frame of the evening session to leave Hunter well and truly on the back foot.
At one stage he was well-placed to register a 147. But having potted 13 reds and 13 blacks, he agonisingly missed out after a wayward pot at a red with the rest. Hunter hit back with a spirited 60 to keep his faint hopes alive, but Stevens added breaks of 60 and 86 to take the match.
"My long game was very good," said Stevens. "It hurts your opponent when you are scoring heavily - fortunately it was my time to get a rub of the green."
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
