SHEFFIELD, April 21: Crowd favourite Jimmy White was knocked out of the world championship in the first round after being beaten 10-8 by little-known qualifier Barry Pinches.
The scrappy encounter looked set to go all the way when White was well-placed in the 18th frame, but he missed the brown to let in Pinches for a winning break.
White, who has lost all six finals he has played in at the Crucible, said he felt "played out" after winning the players championship nine days ago. "It took a lot out of me," the 41-year-old said. "I felt a bit drained and never got going. I was all over the place and really struggled - I think I'm just played out."
Pinches, who had to win two matches to get to the finals, was delighted with the win. "Beating Jimmy White - it doesn't get much better than that," he said. "It wasn't a particularly high standard. I just hope I can play better in the second round."
World number five Stephen Lee became the fifth seed to go out in the first round when he was beaten 10-7 by Welsh qualifier Lee Walker. Walker, a quarter-finalist in 1997, had to win five matches to qualify for the finals. He resumed with a 5-3 lead and then went 9-6 up before sealing victory in the 17th frame.
Seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry has a commanding 8-1 lead over Stuart Pettman. Hendry, who won his last title five years ago, now needs just two more frames to book his place in the last 16.
Scotland's Graeme Dott edged to a narrow 10-9 win over Mark King in another disappointing match. "It was a dreadful game," said Dott. King echoed Dott's sentiments, commenting: "I don't think I've ever been involved in such a scrappy match."
Bookmakers' favourite Ronnie O'Sullivan came back from 3-2 down to lead Stephen Maguire 6-3 at the end of the opening session in their first-round tie.
