Snooker: White sends Williams out of Open

Jimmy White is through to the quarter-finals of the Regal Scottish Open, thanks to a 5-3 win over Mark Williams.

And a fifth-frame break of 137 could earn White a £7,500 high break bonus.

He also added further contributions of 41, 70, 59 and 70 - but just as importantly held his nerve when Williams threatened a comeback.

Williams closed from 4-1 down to 4-3, but just when he scented a collapse White closed the door with a 70.

"I've got a bit of previous when it comes to letting leads slip," admitted the world number 11.

"And players like Mark, and John Higgins, seem to win a lot more scrappy matches than other top players.

"That's why I needed to put him away as soon as possible - but I was prepared for 4-4.

"I know I've been hitting the ball well in practice, and if I got a chance I was confident of taking it.

"I've been under so much pressure thinking about the top 16 that I can now relax knowing my position is safe for next season."

White also has the world championship to look forward to - unlike last season when he failed to qualify.

"I went to Antigua instead and it was totally depressing," he said.

"So I'm glad I'm going to Sheffield this time, I can assure you."

White's opponent in the last eight will be Stephen Lee, though the world number eight nearly blew it against Dominic Dale.

He led 4-2 and 60-0 in frame seven before Dale almost seized his moment. He cleared up to win the seventh on the black and edged the eighth frame 55-40 despite conceding 28 points in fouls.

Lee held his nerve after a 22-minute decider and - helped by a break of 42 - progressed into the quarter-finals.