Ken Doherty overcomes fellow snooker icon Jimmy White in first round of Saudi Arabia Masters - 'He's still a legend'
Published 08/08/2025 at 21:56 GMT+1
Ken Doherty lauded Jimmy White as a "legend" and a "gentleman" after defeating The Whirlwind 4-1 in the opening round of the Saudi Arabia Masters in Jeddah. It was a scrappy contest between the two greats of the game, but the Irishman came out on top, with a classy break of 96 in the second frame of the match, and he said he was "delighted" to progress into the second round of the 'fourth major'.
‘He is livid’ – Simple miss on yellow stuns White as Doherty wraps up comfortable win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ken Doherty was "delighted" to beat Jimmy White in the opening round of the Saudi Arabia Masters, describing his fellow great of the game as a "legend".
Doherty progressed into the second round of the ranking event in Jeddah with a 4-1 win over The Whirlwind, with a break of 96 in the second frame the highlight for the Irishman.
After an error-strewn display, White looked as if he was clicking into gear in the final frame when he threatened to make a sensational steal, but after being forced to play safe, a poor miss on the yellow proved costly as the 1997 world champion stumbled over the line.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Doherty said: "Jimmy is a good pal. It's always a great pleasure playing him. You know, he's such a gentleman, such a great ambassador.
"And we've had some great battles over the years. Today I just came out on top. But he's still a legend."
It was the first meeting between the pair in a full professional event since they met in the qualifying rounds of the World Championship in 2010, with their first clash coming in 1991.
White’s chance for a steal in the fifth frame came after an unforgivable miss into the right centre pocket from Doherty, as he looked to be cruising to victory.
Discussing this error, the Irishman said: "I looked like I was going to seal it with one visit, and then I probably should have played for the blue instead of screwing back for the pink, but that red, I missed it.
"I thought, you know, Murphy's law, he's going to come in and clear the table. He just ran out of position and I got another chance.
"It wasn't a nice way to finish, really. I said it to him at the end, 'It wasn't a great way to finish'. But I'm sort of happy, I'm delighted, I'm in the next round."
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Doherty nails double to seal first frame in battle of legends against White
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Dubliner later joked: "[It was] a little bit of a twitch. The old back arm went. I mean, I hit somebody in the front row. There was actually nobody in the front row to hit!"
When asked about his game in general, Doherty admitted: "It's probably right down there somewhere. It's not very good.
"But I just need a bit of confidence. My cueing is not as good as I would like, there are a few things to work on.
"But look, I'll just keep trying, keep smiling and see what happens."
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Doherty took a scrappy opening frame before doubling his advantage with the sublime 96 clearance in the second.
White came out on top of an error-filled third frame, but Doherty was able to make it 3-1 with a break of 59 before eventually clinching victory after a nervy fifth frame.
The Irishman, who would need to win nine matches in Jeddah to claim the £500,000 jackpot, will take on Artemijs Zizins of Latvia in the second round.
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