White rediscovers his form

Jimmy White took another step on the road to recovery with an encouraging victory over Dave Finbow at the International Open in Aberdeen last night.

The six-times World Championship runner-up arrived in Scotland without a win since last April, having lost 12 consecutive matches. But an opening victory over Dublin's Michael Judge stopped that sequence and yesterday's 5-1 second-round success was more like the White of old.

"I am still a bit green when it comes to winning," said the 34-year-old White. "However, it's great to be playing on the match table instead of the practice table.

"I am quite close to feeling really comfortable out there. But sometimes your reputation can work against you. Players tend to raise their games because of who I am. I know, though, I should be experienced enough to cope with that."

Ronnie O'Sullivan joined White in the third round. O'Sullivan had been severely critical of his opening performance and the hangover seemed to remain as Stuart Pettman, the world No 89, took a 3-1 interval lead. But O'Sullivan stepped up a gear on the resumption to complete a 5-3 victory.