Snooker legend Jimmy White makes century break in qualifying for International Championship

The opening day of qualifying for the 2026 International Championship took place on Thursday at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester with several star names in action.

Snooker legend White - aged 64-years-old - booked his place for the main draw phases in Nanjing, China which are set for between October 31 to November 7.

The 10-time ranking event winner made a break of 104 en route to establishing a 5-2 lead over fellow former UK Championship and Masters champion Matthew Stevens, in an encounter of two of the most experienced players on the World Snooker Tour.

49-year-old Stevens registered runs of 121 and 72 during a three-frame sequence to force the contest all the way, however, White got the job done in the decider for a 6-5 victory to book a ticket for the £825,000 tournament in the Far East, where he’ll face either Mark Selby or Luo Zetao.

Kyren Wilson comes back from three down with four to play

Former World Champion Kyren Wilson nearly suffered a shock defeat to Irish youngster Leone Crowley.

Last year’s World Snooker Federation Junior Championship winner Crowley compiled a 94 break in frame seven for a 5-2 advantage to stand on the cusp of the biggest victory of his fledgling professional career. But despite having chances in each of the next four frames, he couldn’t quite convert, and Wilson capitalised, breathing a huge sigh of relief with a 6-5 verdict. Wilson had made a 142 in frame three.

There were no such concerns for fellow top 16 exponents Neil Robertson and Barry Hawkins.

World number three Robertson - the highest ranked cueist at these qualifiers - bookended a 6-0 whitewash of Alexander Ursenbacher with efforts of 105 and 100. Meanwhile reigning Welsh Open champion Barry Hawkins also scored a clean sweep success as he cruised past rookie Oliver Sykes.

Playing his first match since winning the British Open title less than a fortnight ago, Jak Jones strung together five consecutive frames from 3-1 down to deny Liam Pullen, 6-3.

David Grace crafted a trio of century breaks - 135, 103, 117 - in his match against Tom Ford, but the 60 he made in the deciding frame was his most important contribution as he went through as a 6-5 victor.

Reigning African Champion Mina Awad of Egypt posted a trio of half-centuries in a surprise 6-1 win over Zak Surety to qualify for his first main venue as a professional, and in only his second tournament.

Gao Yang fashioned breaks of 73, 125, 98, 105, 83 and 51, but he needed a black ball finish to squeeze past Jordan Brown, 6-5.

Louis Heathcote, Ryan Day, Oliver Lines, Liam Highfield, Stuart Bingham, Ben Woollaston, Stephen Maguire, Zhang Anda, Lei Peifan, Yao Pengcheng, Robbie Williams and Huang Jiahao also left the Mattioli with a qualification ticket in their pocket.

Qualifying action continues on Friday with Mark Selby, Mark Williams and John Higgins amongst those scheduled to be on the baize.