2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters: Jimmy White wins again as round two completed in Riyadh

Ten-time ranking event winner White - who saw off the United Arab Emirates' Mohamed Shehab 4-2 on the opening day at the Green Halls - made a 52 break in the first frame of his meeting with Higginson before doubling and tripling his lead. Higginson compiled a 101 in frame four as he got on the scoreboard, but 62-year-old White was not to be denied a date with former world championship semi-finalist Si Jiahui in the last 80.

At the other end of the age and professional experience scale, several young rookies continued their campaigns in the Middle East.

Latvian teenager Artemijs Zizins ousted Xu Si - a quarter-finalist at last week's Xi'an Grand Prix - 4-3. 18-year-old Q School graduate Zizins was 3-2 down, but a run of 71 helped him force a deciding frame where he produced an effort of 137 to progress.

For the second successive round, Robbie McGuigan came from behind in his match before winning in a decider. Today, the 20-year-old from Northern Ireland notched up a break of 90 in the final frame to squeeze past Ma Hailong, 4-3.

Poland's Antoni Kowalski (20-years-old) whitewashed last season's Rookie of the Year He Guoqiang, 4-0, on table number one, while Hungary's Bulcsu Revesz (17-years-old) pipped Mark Davis, 4-3.

Gong Chenzhi - a 17-year-old who narrowly missed out on a last eight place in Xi'an - continues to impress; the Chinese cueist finished off a 4-2 victory over David Grace with a 119.

English teenager Paul Deaville doesn't have a professional tour card but is competing in Riyadh due to his high finish on the recent UK Q School order of merit. The 2023 English Amateur Snooker Champion - who is currently a university student - whitewashed Ian Burns 4-0 to set up a fixture with 23-time ranking event winner Neil Robertson.

In summary, it was a fantastic day for the majority of youthful stars on the World Snooker Tour. Stan Moody defeated fellow teenager Liam Pullen 4-1 to progress, while Ben Mertens - who is still only 19 - struck a break of 127 in his 4-0 success over Long Zehuang.

In arguably the tie of the round, 2006 World Champion Graeme Dott defeated Julien Leclercq, 4-3. Dott - who led 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, and had breaks of 84 and 54 - crafted a 116 in the deciding frame. Belgian youngster Leclercq chalked up contributions of 102, 56 and 71 in the frames he won.

Dott advances straight through to round four as Sam Craigie has withdrawn from the competition. The Scot himself withdrew mid-event last week in China, and he is still technically undefeated this season from eight matches.

Another high-scoring affair came in the contest between Louis Heathcote and Ka Wai Cheung. Heathcote constructed breaks of 78, 53 and 133 during a 4-2 victory; Ka hit 92 and 136 in defeat.

Daniel Wells recorded the best result of his career to date when he made the semi-finals of Xi'an just several days ago, but he will play no further part in Saudi Arabia this year as he bowed out to fellow Welshman Duane Jones, 4-2.

Jones recently eliminated Luca Brecel from the Wuhan Open, and he scored another fine victory during his comeback season on the pro tour with breaks of 54, 55 and a beautiful counter clearance of 75 in frame five.

Stuart Carrington (107) and Ben Woollaston (115) each made a century break during their wins, while Marco Fu finished off with a 123 as he stopped Liam Davies, 4-0. Ashley Carty and Martin O'Donnell also claimed 4-0 clean sweeps.

Lei Peifan, Alfie Burden, Sanderson Lam and Andrew Pagett all came through deciding frames to keep their hopes alive of the £500,000 top prize next week; Pagett did so on the final black against Alexander Ursenbacher.

Saturday's other match winners were Anthony Hamilton, Liu Hongyu, Jimmy Robertson, Rory Thor, Xing Zihao, Ishpreet Singh Chadha, Allan Tyalor, Tian Pengfeil, Jiang Jun, and rookie players Haydon Pinhey and Amir Sarkhosh.

Iran’s Sarkhosh - a graduate from the Global Q Tour Playoffs earlier this year - produced a stunning comeback against Ross Muir in a match that finished after 2.30am local time.

Breaks of 72 and 85 helped Muir to a 3-0 lead, but Sarkhosh strung together four frames to complete the early morning turnaround.

On Sunday, seed numbers 17 to 48 enter the competition, including former World Champions Neil Robertson and Stuart Bingham.

For the draw, results and other important details, please visit our 2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters Tournament Information Centre, here.