Jimmy White hits century in China Open qualifying victory over Sean O'Sullivan as Reanne Evans and Robert Milkins enjoy wins in snooker season opener
Updated 11/06/2026 at 07:44 GMT+1
React to this story
Jimmy White hit the 328th century of his golden career as he marked the opening day of the new snooker season with a 6-2 win over Sean O'Sullivan in the opening round of China Open qualifying.
White sinks sensational 112 against O'Sullivan in China Open qualifying
Video credit: TNT Sports
The six-time world finalist is only 10 tons behind old rival Steve Davis, who is 26th with 338, in the all-time list of century makers after producing a lovely knock of 112 against fellow Londoner O'Sullivan.
O'Sullivan had returned to the main tour with a 4-2 win over Joshua Thomond in the finals of event one at Q School last month.
The 32-year-old from Whitechapel was ranked as high as world No. 73 in 2016 but has struggled to keep his tour card over the past decade.
He produced a maximum when losing 5-2 to Barry Hawkins in the 2023 European Masters, a tournament 'The Hawk' progressed to win with a 9-6 victory over world No. 1 Judd Trump.
A break of 61 gave O'Sullivan the opening frame against White at Leicester's Mattioli Areina before the Tooting icon reeled off the next three frames to lead 3-1 at the mid-session interval.
Another run of 51 saw the gap reduced to 3-2 before former Masters and UK champion White claimed the final three frames, boosted by classy closing knocks of 112 and 59.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/06/10/image-7c0799e2-7d81-4194-9893-e70c1b959c40.jpeg)
Jimmy White is still competing at a top level.
Image credit: WorldSnooker
At the age of 64, White is remarkably competing for a record 47th straight season on the main professional circuit, and has lost none of his ability to score heavily among the balls.
To put such astonishing longevity into perspective, he lost the last of his six world finals, 18-17 to Stephen Hendry in 1994, less than a week after O'Sullivan was born.
His reward is a meeting with Leicester hopeful Louis Heathcote on Thursday evening at 19:30 UK time in the second qualifying round.
There was also a heavy-scoring 6-4 win for former Welsh Open finalist Andrew Higginson, also fresh from securing a two-year two card at Q School, as breaks of 90, 89, 51, 70, 113 and 123 saw him complete a 6-4 win over Ireland's Leone Crowley.
- 'A legend' - O'Sullivan explains unique tribute to record-breaking rival
- 'One of greatest lines I've ever heard' - What happened in Hurricane Higgins' final Crucible match?
- 'It's the right time' - Former Crucible champion Doherty announces retirement
Elsewhere, 12-time women's world champion Reanne Evans completed a 6-4 win over Alfie Davies in her season opener.
Evans will have to wait for another chance to claim a record-extending 13th title, after losing 6-2 to an inspired Panchaya Channoi in last month's final in China.
Next up in qualifying is a meeting with Yao Pengcheng on Friday morning at 09:30.
Meanwhile, there was a 6-4 win for Robert Milkins, who is playing as an amateur after losing his tour card last season over Luo Zetao, with 'The Milkman' producing a 114 break as he came from 4-3 behind to secure a meeting with Long Zehuang on Friday.
The China Open has returned to the main circuit after a seven-year absence, with four qualifying rounds being staged in Leicester between June 10-14 at the city's Mattioli Arena.
Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is HBO Max, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement