Day two of the 2025 JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship witnessed a shocking turn of events as two of the pre-tournament favorites, Jimmy White and Ken Doherty, were eliminated in the opening round at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Both legends faced tough competition, with White falling to Alfie Burden and Doherty succumbing to Charl Jonck, setting the stage for an exciting quarter-final lineup.
The atmosphere was electric as the Yorkshire crowd gathered to witness the matches on Thursday, May 8, 2025. In a highly anticipated clash, Jimmy White, a four-time World Seniors Snooker champion, took on Alfie Burden, who had previously defeated him in the 2023 World Seniors Snooker Championship final. Burden made a strong start, quickly racing to a 2-0 lead. Although White managed to respond with an impressive break of 82 to reduce the deficit, it was not enough. Burden maintained his composure and ultimately secured a convincing 4-1 victory, finishing with a break of 92.
Reflecting on his win, Burden shared, "I first practiced with Jimmy when I was a 15-year-old boy. We’ve had this amazing friendship for many years and I don’t get any pleasure in beating Jimmy but I was focused on winning and I had to blank out who I was playing. I know he wants me to win it now." The sentiment of respect and camaraderie between the two players added a poignant touch to the match.
Meanwhile, in a remarkable upset, South African qualifier Charl Jonck triumphed over former world champion Ken Doherty 4-2. The match started off scrappy, with Doherty taking an early 2-0 lead. However, Jonck showcased his resilience, leveling the match with a break of 64. Gaining confidence, Jonck seized control and finished with a break of 63 in the penultimate frame, sealing his victory.
"That was surreal. It was the lifelong ambition becoming a reality," Jonck exclaimed. He added, "The crowd were electric and it was the best feeling ever. Everybody loves an underdog story, don’t they?" This win marked a significant moment for Jonck, who made a memorable debut at the Crucible.
The quarter-final lineup was finalized with the advancement of Tony Drago and Hassan Kerde. Drago faced Gerard Greene in a nail-biting match that concluded with a 4-3 victory for Drago. After taking the first frame with a break of 75, he found himself trailing as Greene managed to claw back, stealing the second frame with a calm colour clearance. The match continued to ebb and flow, leading to the tournament’s first decider where Drago emerged victorious with a break of 68.
"At one time it looked like I might win easily and have an early night but then I collapsed in nearly every frame. I couldn’t have done this before, missing so many balls and then coming back from 3-2 down to win, so I think in my old age I am doing something right that I didn’t do before!" Drago remarked after his hard-fought victory.
Completing the quarter-final roster was Hassan Kerde, who delivered an impressive performance on his Crucible debut, whitewashing former world number two Tony Knowles 4-0. With breaks of 53, 62, 66, and 59, Kerde showcased his talent, setting up a clash against Jonck in the quarter-finals.
"I’m over the moon. I’ve watched the Crucible for the last 20 years and to just come and watch a match would have been awesome. This is everything, I consider myself one of the top amateur players in Australia and this is a world stage so to go all the way would mean everything for my life," Kerde expressed after his victory.
As the tournament progresses, the quarter-finals are set to take place on Friday, May 9, 2025, starting at 12:00 BST. The matchups include Dominic Dale facing Joe Perry, and the anticipated clash between Burden and Drago, who are both looking to secure their spots in the semi-finals. Dale, a former Grand Prix and Shanghai Masters winner, has also made waves in the tournament, hitting a stunning break of 104 in his opening match against Craig Steadman, winning 4-2.
Perry, a former Welsh Open champion, also impressed in his opening round, defeating Pan-American Seniors champion Fabio Anderson Luersen 4-2 with breaks of 94, 76, and 76. Both players are eager to make their mark in the quarter-finals, with the stakes higher than ever.
In another exciting matchup, Wayne Townsend will take on 2018 champion Aaron Canavan. Townsend made headlines by dethroning reigning champion Igor Figueiredo in a dramatic 4-2 victory, winning two frames on the black along the way. Canavan, looking to become the second multiple winner of this event, also comes into the match with momentum after a 4-2 win over Andrew Norman, highlighted by a break of 89.
With the quarter-finals set to deliver high-stakes drama and thrilling snooker action, fans are eagerly anticipating the outcomes. The matches will be broadcast live on Channel 5 and 5Action, ensuring that viewers don’t miss a moment of the excitement.
The 2025 JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship continues to prove that it’s not just about the legends of the past, but also about the rising stars who are ready to make their mark. As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on the Crucible as players battle for glory and a chance to be crowned champion.
