Late Arrival Allows White Lightning Quick Win

Welsh amateur Michael White required just two frames to defeat Xiao Guodong 4-0 at BetVictor Welsh Open qualifying, after Xiao was docked two frames due to a late arrival.

With Storm Eunice wreaking havoc across the United Kingdom, Xiao was caught in heavy traffic on his way to the venue in Wolverhampton. After arriving 18 minutes late, he found himself 2-0 down before the match had even started.

When play commenced two-time ranking event winner White, who dropped off the tour in 2020, only required 35-minutes to wrap up the win. A run of 64 moved him 3-0 ahead and he capped off the victory by comfortably claiming the next. White will now be in attendance in Newport later this month for the final stages.

Jamie Jones provided further Welsh success, as he recovered from 2-0 down to beat Zhou Yuelong 4-3 in a high quality encounter.

Zhou composed breaks of 66, 62, 67 and 117 during the tie, but it was to no avail. Jones rallied with runs of 67, 61 and 56 as he turned the match around.

Germany’s Lukas Kleckers edged out Cypriot Michael Gerogiou 4-3, while amateur Si Jiahui defeated former Crucible finalist Nigel Bond 4-3.

The qualifying round runs throughout this week in Wolverhampton, with players needing to win one match to book a place at the final stages at ICC Wales in Newport. The top 16 seeds are seeded through to the final stages which run from February 28 to March 6 – for ticket details click here.