White Fades To Greene

Jimmy White’s hopes of reaching the Crucible for the first time since 2006 were dashed as he lost 10-9 to Gerard Greene in the first qualifying round of the Betfred World Championship.

Six-time Crucible runner-up White came from 7-6 down to lead 9-7, but he scored just 30 points in the last three frames as Greene took them all.

China’s promising teenager Zhao Xintong came from 6-2 down to beat Rod Lawler 10-9, winning the decider 58-24.

Norway’s Kurt Maflin edged out Sanderson Lam 10-8 with a vital brown to black clearance in the 18th frame. Thailand’s in-form Noppon Saengkham knocked in three centuries in a 10-6 defeat of Michael Georgiou.

Ryan Day made three centuries and six more breaks over 50 in a 10-2 thrashing of Daniel Wells while Jimmy Robertson whitewashed Tyler Rees 10-0 with a top break of 118. Two time world finalist Matthew Stevens eased to a 10-2 win over Josh Boileau.

China’s Li Hang passed up the chance for a 147, which could earn an £8,500 bonus, when he missed the final yellow on 120 against Lyu Chenwei, though Li went on to win 10-8.

Shanghai Masters champion Kyren Wilson saw off Jason Weston 10-3 while two-time Crucible semi-finalist Alan McManus beat Michael Wasley 10-5.

Ken Doherty came from 3-1 down to beat beat Andy Hicks 10-6 with a top break of 109 while another former World Champion, Graeme Dott, pulled away from 7-7 to beat Brandon Sargeant 10-8.