Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Snooker legend Jimmy White rolled back the years with a stellar performance at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, defeating Andrew Higginson 4-1 on Saturday to secure his place in the third round. The match, held at the iconic Green Halls in Riyadh, saw White storm to a 3-0 lead before clinching victory, setting up a highly anticipated Round 3 showdown with China’s Si Jiahui, the world number 22 and a former World Championship semi-finalist.
White, a 10-time ranking event winner and former UK and Masters champion, displayed the skill and finesse that have made him a beloved figure in the snooker world for decades. His upcoming match against the young Chinese star is expected to be one of the highlights of the tournament, as fans eagerly anticipate the clash between experience and youth.
Saturday’s action also highlighted the rise of new talent, with 20-year-old Polish prodigy Antoni Kowalski advancing to Round 3 after a commanding 4-1 victory over Bahrain’s Habib Sabah. Kowalski, who has been making waves on the professional circuit, expressed his determination to challenge snooker’s established stars.
“We will be trying to set records,” Kowalski stated after his match. “I think this is the time for the new generation to come up and kick out Ronnie [O’Sullivan] and other players. Ronnie has to end sometime; he is already in his late 40s. We will try our best for sure.”
The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters continues on Sunday with an exciting lineup of 32 matches in Round 3, featuring former world champions Neil Robertson, Graeme Dott, and Stuart Bingham. The tournament, which boasts a first prize of SAR 2.4 million, is being broadcast to over 200 countries, reaching a global audience exceeding 500 million.
As the competition heats up, snooker enthusiasts around the world are tuning in to see who will emerge victorious in one of the sport’s most prestigious international events.
