SNOOKER legend Jimmy White pulled out of the Travis Perkins UK Snooker Championship in York today.
White, a UK semi-finalist last year, was feeling ill and retired when trailing 7-0 in the second round to world number 19 Allister Carter, from Essex.
The crushing defeat comes hot on the heels of the 'Whirlwind's upset 5-1 loss to Chinese teenager Ding Junhui in the British Open at Brighton last week.
York hero Paul Hunter made a strong start today. He led Aussie Quinten Hann 4-2 midway through the first session of their second round clash at the Barbican Centre.
That best-of-17 frames match finishes tonight, with the world number 4 star from Leeds seeking a last 16 match against Carter.
Former world champion Ken Doherty, twice a UK semi-finalist in the past three years but a shock first match loser last time, was 4-3 up against Devonian Andy Hicks.
Stephen Maguire, losing finalist in the British Open last Sunday, took a 4-1 lead in his first round match against Mark Davis. Chris Small went 3-2 up over Joe Perry.
John Higgins, the new British Open champion, arrived in York last night for his opening match starting this afternoon.
His wife Denise is overdue giving birth to their second child and he wants to be there but yesterday he travelled from his home near Glasgow to take his place in the UK line-up.
The 17-year-old Ding suffered a loss of form last night in losing 9-3 to Welshman Dominic Dale.
Updated: 15:01 Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article