Jimmy White seals fantastic fourth World Seniors Championship title

Jimmy White clinched a fourth World Seniors Championship title with a 5-3 victory over Alfie Burden in the final at The Crucible on Sunday.

The Whirlwind continued his dominance of the Over-40s event by adding to his triumphs in 2010, 2019 and 2020 with a fourth Crucible crown.

The 61-year-old maintained the form which saw him retain his professional tour card outright as he swept to victory over fellow Londoner Burden.

White raced into a 4-1 lead in the final, and though Burden produced a late rally by claiming back-to-back frames, the six-time world finalist sealed victory in style with a break of 84.

“Me and Alfie go back a long way and I love him,” White told BBC Sport.

“I just love the game, it’s fascinating. Sometimes I play some good stuff and I can beat anybody, sometimes I fall over the line.

“You’ve just got to do what [Mark] Selby does and win when you’re playing badly, so I’m delighted.”

White had dropped just two frames en route to a sixth World Seniors final, defeating Philip Williams 3-1, Adrian Ridley 4-0 and Tony Drago 4-1.

After Burden had broken down on 53, White punished with a break of 62 to snatch the opening frame of the final.

Burden hit back to level in frame two, but a missed blue proved costly in the third as White regained the upper-hand.

A superb 63 clearance saw White open up a 3-1 advantage at the interval, before adding a 55 to move within a frame of glory.

Burden, however, stopped the rot by sealing frame six, and after White failed to find his way out of a tough snooker behind the black using the spider, the 2009 World Amateur Champion closed the gap to 4-3.

A safety error proved fatal for Burden’s hopes of forcing a decider as White pounced with a vintage 84 break to get over the line.

“Jimmy was the better player tonight,” admitted Burden. “If I’m going to lose to anyone, he’s the man because I love the bones of the geezer.

“I’ve enjoyed every moment of playing at The Crucible again and I hope I’ve given my family and friends some good moments.”

Burden, who came through a qualifying event to seal a return to The Crucible for the first time in 25 years, had powered past former World Champions Ken Doherty (3-0) and Stephen Hendry (4-1) in the early rounds.

He then overcame fellow debutant Ben Hancorn 4-1 in Sunday afternoon’s Semi-Final, but was to be denied a first televised title by his snooker idol.

Victory for White sees him secure a place in November’s Champion of Champions in Bolton alongside the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and newly-crowned World Champion Luca Brecel.

World Seniors Championship 2023 Day Five Results

Sunday May 7

Semi-Finals
Jimmy White 4-1 Tony Drago
Alfie Burden 4-1 Ben Hancorn

Final
Jimmy White 5-3 Alfie Burden

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