SNOOKER: Jimmy White conceded his last frame and a 6-2 overnight deficit in uncharacteristic exasperation to last year's semi-finalist Matthew Stevens in their best-of-25-frames second-round match in the World Championship at the Crucible.
Only six points behind with three reds remaining, White missed a black from its spot at point-blank range and, in the wake of previous blunders, lashed cue ball and black off the table. He conceded the frame forthwith, shaking hands and leaving the arena.
The bulk of White's deficit was attributable to Stevens, who seems to be regaining his feeling for the game after the unexpected death of his father, who used to travel the circuit with him, 15 months ago.
A kick on his 14th black halted the 24-year-old's attempt at a 147 maximum in the opening frame, but he followed that 105 with an 84 and was 43 ahead in the third before White's one serious contribution, a 56 clearance to pink, got him off the mark.
A 27-minute fourth frame also went to White, but he bungled two chances for a late clearance in the fifth, and from 3-2 Stevens quickly went to 5-2 with breaks of 113 and 95.
Wales's Anthony Davies, whose ranking of 31 is the highest of his 11-year professional career, held off Alan McManus, twice a semi-finalist, 10-7 to become Stephen Hendry's second-round opponent.
McManus, 6-2 down after the opening session, played much better yesterday when breaks of 77 and 134 helped him recover to 7-8 before Davies managed to win the two frames he needed for his first win in three visits to Sheffield.
John Higgins produced ominously sustained excellence to crush James Wattana 10-1.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (In Sheffield) - First round: Anthony Davies (Wal) bt (12) Alan McManus (Sco) 10-7 Frame scores (Davies 1st): 65-42 57-52 36-56 67-4 56-29 92-0 55-29 7-100 0-86 78-0 0-134 (134 break) 36-63 60-72 52-17 6-68 68-7 63-13. (3) John Higgins (Sco) bt James Wattana (Tha) 10-1 - Frame scores: 80-0 85-31 138-0 (109 break) 66-51 60-48 136-1 (136 break) 116-0 (116 break) 0-72 68-23 129-0 61-60
Second round: (6) Matthew Stevens (Wal) leads (11) Jimmy White (Eng) 6-2 - Frame scores: 105-0 (105 break) 84-1 52-65 31-86 55-35 129-1 (113 break) 100-7 42-29.(1) Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) leads Robert Milkins (Eng) 6-2 - Frame scores: 110-0 (110 break) 75-12 136-0 (132 break) 78-21 10-77 0-77 65-0 103-12.
