World Seniors Snooker Championship 2021 – Defending champion Jimmy White eases into final

Updated 09/05/2021 at 22:36 GMT

Jimmy White produced an assured display at the Crucible to complete a 4-1 victory over Igor Figueiredo in the semi-finals on Sunday to move within touching distance of a third straight World Seniors title. White will face the winner of the second semi-final between former English amateur champion David Lilley or Northern Ireland's Patrick Wallace in Sunday night's final (7pm BST).

Jimmy White

Image credit: Eurosport

Jimmy White is one win away from claiming a third successive World Seniors title after enjoying a 4-1 victory over Brazil's world number 75 Igor Figueiredo in the semi-finals at the Crucible.

The six-times World Championship finalist was wary of his opponent's long potting ability following Figueiredo's heavy-scoring 4-1 success against the seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry on Saturday, but was rarely in trouble as some assured break-building – that included a 60 knock in the first frame – and timely tactical play was enough to seal his progress.

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He will face former English amateur champion David Lilley – who made runs of 65, 89 and 69 in reeling off four straight frames in a 4-1 win over 2001 world quarter-finalist Patrick Wallace – in Sunday's final (7pm BST) as he chases a unique hat-trick following final victories over Darren Morgan (5-3) and Ken Doherty (5-4) over the past two years in Sheffield.

"I played a bit better there," said Eurosport pundit White, who boasted a pot success of over 90 percent.

"My safety play was a bit better over the first two frames and Igor started to cue so I knew when I had my opportunities, I had to take them.

He's such a great potter that I had to leave the white on the cushion when I played safe. I didn't do that in the third frame and he potted some good balls, but apart from that my safety was okay.

"It's just great to play at the Crucible. I'm back in the final again, it's the best of nine (frames) so I'm really looking forward to it."

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The seniors final was first held 30 years ago when Cliff Wilson edged Eddie Charlton 5-4, but the evergreen White is bidding to claim the crown for a record fourth time having defeated Steve Davis 4-1 when it returned to the World Snooker Tour circuit in 2010.