Jimmy White confident of World Championship return despite defeat at WST Classic

Six-time runner-up Jimmy White says he is "playing too well" not to qualify for next month's World Championship.

'The Whirlwind', 60, was beaten 4-1 by China's Pang Junxu at World Snooker Tour Classic in Leicester after a fine run that included a third-round win over world number five Judd Trump.

White has not reached the final stages of the World Championship since 2006.

Qualifying starts on 3 April and White said: "I'll be getting to the Crucible."

White, winner of 38 titles during a decorated career, won the opening frame against Pang to raise hopes of a quarter-final place, but Pang won the next four.

"I am playing OK, I just ran out of steam" added White, who became the first player aged 60 or over to reach the last 16 of a ranking event for 31 years at the German Masters last month.

"Pang is one of my favourite Chinese players and I wish him all the best because he's a hard worker.

"But to beat the three players I have beaten this week, and then not produce, is a disappointment."

With the final three rounds played across one day, Pang went on to reach his first ranking event final on Wednesday but was beaten 6-2 by an impressive Mark Selby.

Selby, whose victory sealed a second ranking event win of the season, began with century breaks in the first two frames and reeled off another in the fifth in a commanding win.

The World Championship takes place from 15 April - 1 May at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

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