Wattana must forget old pals' act

James Wattana’s worst nightmare would be to relegate Jimmy White from snooker’s top flight.

But if he doesn’t then the softly-spoken Thai will be out of the £1.682m (€2.41m) Embassy World Championship.

So, it’s Catch-22 for the Bangkok-based star in the next two days as he attempts to make the most of his surprise qualification for Sheffield.

There were a few eyebrows raised when he reached the Crucible at the expense of Scottish Open runner-up Mark Selby.

And it will be White’s turn to qualify in 12 months’ time if the 40-year-old Londoner doesn’t stay in the top 16.

The two players are good friends and 33-year-old Wattana says: “It’s great to play Jimmy anywhere in the world.

“We always have good matches and I hope this is another one.

“I have been struggling for the last few years,” admits Wattana, down to 38 on the provisional rankings after a career-high spot at number three.

“I’ve lost so many first-round matches and that’s why I’ve dropped down so quickly.

“But I always like a challenge and this is certainly another challenge to see if I can get back up there.

“I always love playing at the Crucible and it’s often brought the best out of me.”

Wattana has twice reached the penultimate round, losing 16-9 to White in 1993 after being 5-0 up, and then four years later going down 17-13 to Stephen Hendry.

“This is a crucial match for both me and Jimmy,’ agrees the 1994 and 1995 Thailand Open champion.

White knows it’s win or bust. Defeat will mean the six-times world finalist drops out of the top 16 as he comes to Sheffield provisionally ranked 19th.

White could have faced old adversary Steve Davis for a place in the quarter-finals had results gone to plan.

Instead, White and Wattana meet for the right to tackle world number seven Stephen Lee.

The Wiltshire star defeated six-times champion Davis 10-6 last night, winning the last four frames of a six-hour struggle.

“It was roughly the right result,” said Davis who returned to the Crucible after a three-year absence.

“There were four or five frames that could have gone either way and I didn’t win enough of them.

“I’m just a bit disappointed because my expectations were to win, not just to turn up.

“It’s a big thrill just to come to Sheffield and providing they don’t change the set-up next season, I’ll be playing here again.”

Lee was delighted to avenge his defeat from last month’s Irish Masters, saying: “Steve is always tough to beat and I scraped over the line.

“I pinched a frame to go 7-6 and after that I ran away with the game.

“Steve didn’t score as heavily as he needed to because you need one-visit stuff at this level.

“It’s a slow start but at least I’m still here.”

So, too, is Ken Doherty, but only after a titanic struggle against 20-year-old Shaun Murphy.

The 1997 world champion edged a thrilling match 10-9, coming from 42-29 down in the decider with a 27 clearance.

“I know I didn’t play the way I can but I can only get better,” said Doherty who was never behind in the match.

“Getting over the first hurdle releases the stress but this is the mother of all tournaments and I would have been gutted to have lost.

“I thought the way things were going it wasn’t going to be my time. But I stuck in there and managed to get a knee-trembler clearance at the end.

“It was fantastic to come through on the final black. I’m glad it was over the hole, otherwise I might have twitched.”

Doherty now plays Graeme Dott, who began the day with a 10-4 victory over Robert Milkins.

Murphy was left to reflect on his part in the best match of the event so far.

“As a bit of a purist, when I’ve given 100 per cent, even though I lost, I can stand back and say what a fabulous game of snooker it was,” he said.

“I’m also proud of myself because I’ve been able to come back when the chips are down. I’ve been able to stand up there in front of however many people and play snooker.“

With two Scots through to the last 16 so far, John Higgins and Alan McManus hope to join them at some stage today.

Higgins resumes this evening with a 6-3 lead over British Open runner-up Ian McCulloch from Preston after being 3-1 down.

Glaswegian McManus returns to action this morning but could easily have to play an unscheduled third session this evening.

He and 1995 world finalist Nigel Bond managed just six frames yesterday, extending their final session to 13 frames.

At least McManus has the satisfaction of leading 5-1.

On another busy day at Sheffield, title favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan makes his first appearance of this year’s tournament.

O’Sullivan, firm favourite to repeat his 2001 triumph, plays the first nine frames of his game against Hong Kong’s Marco Fu.

The European Open and Irish Masters champion has been toning up for his title campaign with Tracey Alexandrou – the fitness guru from the television show ’SAS-Are You Tough Enough’.

“I’ve got muscles I didn’t realise I had,” says the world number one from Chigwell.

“Snooker can make you feel like a King or it can drag you down to the depths,” adds O’Sullivan.

“It’s been my life for so long that it can get out of control. However, having this aside is a healthy distraction and it’s paying huge dividends.”

O’Sullivan has lost only one of his last 15 matches and it will be a shock if world number 27 Fu gains his first ever victory in the final stages of the world championship.