Welsh Open 2025: Jimmy White denied by Scott Donaldson in final qualifier as Xu Si hits 147, Ricky Walden wins
By Desmond Kane
Updated 07/02/2025 at 06:53 GMT
React to this story
Jimmy White reached the quarter-finals in his first appearance at the Welsh Open in 1993, but his hopes of a trip down memory lane were dashed by 2017 semi-finalist Scott Donaldson, who triumphed in a tense 4-3 qualifying win over the six-time world finalist in Barnsley. Meanwhile, Xu Si hit the third 147 break of his career on his way to a 4-2 victory over Bulcsu Revesz.
Holt concedes 50 points in fouls on green in incredible scenes
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jimmy 'Whirlwind' White's bid to book his spot at next week's Welsh Open in Llandudno was denied by Scotland's Scott Donaldson after a narrow 4-3 defeat in qualifying.
The six-time world finalist enjoyed a 4-0 whitewash win over Joshua Thomond on Tuesday, but could not extend his winning run as former Welsh Open semi-finalist Donaldson sealed his place in the last 64.
Donaldson will next face English and Scottish Open runner-up Wu Yize at Venue Cymru on Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, world No. 41 Xu Si showed his talents as he hit back from 2-1 down against Hungary's Bulcsu Revesz with a 147 break, seeing him level at 2-2 before further runs of 56 and 113 saw him advance.
It was the third maximum of his career and 213th in the sport's history, following his maiden 147 against Ma Hailong at the 2023 UK Championship and second at the 2024 International Championship.
It came a day after Mark Selby hit the 212th maximum - and sixth of his career - at the Championship League in Leicester.
Next up for Xu is a meeting with former UK champion Stephen Maguire on Monday afternoon.
There was also better news for Ricky Walden, who returned to action following a health scare at the German Masters last week with a 4-2 win over Artemijs Zizins.
The 42-year-old was forced to hand Barry Hawkins a walkover in his third-round match in Berlin after he suffered a bout of pancreatitis that sent him to a hospital overnight.
But he looked in peak form as breaks of 81, 66 and 124 helped him secure a meeting with Matthew Selt on Tuesday afternoon.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/02/17/3888875-79010428-2560-1440.jpg)
Watch Wilson’s maximum 147 break against Higgins in Welsh Open semi-final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Stan Moody rolled in a 134 break in a 4-3 win over evergreen Nottingham potter Anthony Hamilton to secure his progress and a meeting with Mark Allen on Monday evening.
Graeme Dott, world champion in 2006, will also take his place at the finals venue after a 4-3 win over Oliver Lines, while German Masters semi-finalist Yuan Sijun eased to a 4-0 whitewash of Amir Sarkhosh, boosted by a 115 break.
- Lei suffers shock £150,000 exit blow in Welsh Open qualifiers
- Welsh Open 2025: How to watch on TV and live stream, schedule
Dott next faces close friend and fellow Scot John Higgins on Monday night, while Yuan is set to take on Zhou Yuelong in the round of 64.
Elsewhere, former UK and Masters champion Matthew Stevens will face an all-Welsh battle with Jak Jones on Tuesday afternoon after easing to a 4-1 win over Hammad Miah.
The Welsh Open - live on Eurosport and discovery+ - commences on Monday at Venue Cymru, with Gary Wilson defending the Ray Reardon Trophy in the chase for the £100,000 first prize.
Stream top snooker action, including the Welsh Open, on discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement