Snooker: White upbeat after Wilkinson whitewash

Jimmy White plans to save his best for last this term after half a dozen years of end-of-season uncertainty.

‘People’s champion’ White whitewashed Gary Wilkinson 5-0 at the Regal Scottish Open in Aberdeen tonight in their first meeting for 10 years.

And the Whirlwind’s second-round victory ensured his status as a top 16 player for another season.

‘‘It’s a great burden off my shoulders knowing I can go to the Crucible with my ranking sorted out,’’ sighed the world number 11.

‘‘I worked out that it’s been six or seven years I’ve gone to the world championship with my top 16 position under threat.

‘‘Twice I’ve dropped out of the 16 and managed to get back in.’’

White now plays fellow left-hander Mark Williams and if he can reproduce the form he showed against former World Matchplay champion Wilkinson this evening, White could cause an upset against the world number one.

‘‘Mark is one of those players who loves the big occasion. He doesn’t care who he plays. He is a class act but I like playing them best,’’ added White.

‘‘Gary missed a few balls and he’s a better player than that. But you can’t ask for any more than winning 5-0.

‘‘I was a little bit annoyed at some of the shots I missed but I’m just pleased to have got it over in one visit.’’

But while White progressed into the last 16, Benson and Hedges Masters champion Paul Hunter suffered the curse of the top seeds.

Five of the world’s top 10 and six of the top 16 have failed to take their scheduled place in the draw.

Hunter slumped to a 5-3 defeat against Welshman Dominic Dale, who can now look forward to a match against Stephen Lee or Steve Davis.

Dale is certainly enjoying his stay in Aberdeen, partially due to his whirlwind romance with a German student.

‘‘It’s nice to know that snooker isn’t the be-all and end-all,’’ smiled the former Grand Prix champion.

‘‘But I’m pleased with the win because Paul hammered me 5-0 in China recently. He’s so effortless when he plays and can make you look silly.

‘‘I lost a bad first frame which could have set me back. But I’m proud the way I held myself together.’’

Dale finished off the match with a break of 60 after earlier notching runs of 66, 62, 83 and 99.