UK Snooker Championship 2022: Jimmy White and champion Zhao Xintong beaten in York

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Jimmy White
White last qualified 12 years ago for the main stage of the tournament

Veteran Jimmy White’s dream run in the UK Championship was ended by a 6-2 defeat to Ryan Day.

‘The Whirlwind’, 60, had won four matches to qualify for the last 32 but Day led from the start in York.

Welshman Day will now face England’s Sam Craigie, who knocked out defending champion Zhao Xintong 6-2 in the first round on Saturday.

World number seven Kyren Wilson beat Matthew Selt 6-3, and will next meet Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen.

Allen beat close friend Jordan Brown 6-4 as the two Northern Ireland players faced each other on the professional tour for the first time.

Crowd favourite White was given a rousing reception as he walked out for his first appearance in the televised stages of the tournament since 2010 and 30 years after his only victory in the event.

The six-time World Championship runner-up is the oldest player to qualify for the last 32 since Eddie Charlton, who was 63 in 1993.

White felt his A-game would give him a chance of winning the tournament, but he never found his top form as Day dominated with breaks including 127 and 105.

“I said to him at the end that he’s been one of my heroes all my life and to share that occasion with him was a real privilege,” said Day.

‘To play a hero in front of a crowd like that was special.”

Sam Craigie and Zhao Xintong
Craigie won the final five frames against Zhao

China’s Zhao was stunned by the 28-year-old Englishman Craigie, who is ranked 47 in the world.

Qualifier Craigie said he had felt unwell before his match, but it did not show as he made an 83 clearance to win the first frame.

Zhao responded and went 2-1 ahead, before his opponent rattled in the next five frames, sealing the victory with a century break.

“I just woke up with a headache and felt a bit shaky,” said Craigie.

He was buoyed by crowd support at the Barbican and said of the vocal backing: “It was hard to take it in. I loved it.”

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