Doherty beaten in scrappy contest

Jimmy White ended his losing streak at the Regal Masters in Glasgow to deny Ireland's Ken Doherty a place in the quarter-finals.

White stayed the course in a scrappy contest to repeat the 5-4 success he enjoyed over Doherty back in 1998.

"Normally, I would be embarrassed to play like that," said White.

"But at my age a win is a win. This was the first match of the season for both of us and we were both rusty.

"It's been a long break because I haven't hit a ball since the world championship though I have been back practicing for five weeks."

White was never in front until he captured the deciding frame and Doherty's fourth frame century was easily the highest break of the contest.

"It wasn't high quality stuff," agreed Doherty. "I should have won 5-3 but I missed too many easy balls that cost me the game.

"The last five months since the world championship has seemed like a nightmare. But it shouldn't make any difference. I just hope it gets better than this."

White's win was only his second in eight years of coming to the Regal Masters. And he will have to improve noticeably to get the better of John Higgins in the next round.

"Mind you I have seen Stephen Hendry struggle to get home 5-4 and then go out to make three or four centuries in his next match," added the Whirlwind.

"At one stage my head felt like dropping. There were so many errors I lost count but thankfully I hung in there.

"Now, I've got a couple of days to practice before I meet Higgins."