Jimmy White’s Crucible dreams remain alive after a dramatic late-night victory in World Championship qualifying.
The 62-year-old snooker legend defeated Ukrainian Anton Kazakov 10-9 in a marathon match that finished at 1:22am on Wednesday morning.
White is attempting to reach the main draw of the World Snooker Championship for the first time since 2006.
The six-time world championship finalist showed remarkable stamina composure to edge past his opponent in a tense deciding frame.
Jimmy White’s Crucible dreams remain alive after a dramatic late-night victory in World Championship qualifying.
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Only a handful of spectators remained in Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport to witness the veteran’s triumph.
The match began at 10am on Tuesday, stretching to more than nine hours of table time before reaching its conclusion.
White prevailed in the second session, sinking the final yellow, green, brown and blue in the decider to settle the gruelling encounter.
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Anton Kazakov pushed Jimmy White all the way in their World Snooker Championship qualifying match
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Kazakov, a 20-year-old amateur, conceded defeat with the pink and black still on the table and a deficit of 26 points.
White led 3-2 early on before unranked Kazakov won five consecutive frames to establish a commanding 7-3 lead.
The veteran showed his class by responding with six straight frames to move 9-7 ahead, including a vintage 126 break in frame 12.
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Yet Kazakov refused to surrender, taking the next two frames to force a deciding 19th frame as the clock ticked past midnight.
Despite the late hour, White held his nerve when it mattered most.
The final frame ended 69-43 in White’s favour, keeping alive his hopes of a return to the Crucible Theatre.
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White will now face Ashley Carty, the world No.71, in the second qualifying round on Friday morning over the best of 19 frames.
It would be one of the stories of the year if White could win his next three qualifiers to reach the Crucible once more.
The snooker icon, a professional since 1980, has tried unsuccessfully 18 times in a row to qualify for the flagship event.
Jimmy White rolled back the years with some sublime snooker as he secured victory on Wednesday
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Meanwhile, Kyren Wilson will begin the defence of his title on Easter Saturday.
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has yet to decide if he will participate in this year’s championship.
