Snooker: Dott stretches Higgins

Jimmy White last night won for the first time in 10 months and 11 matches, beating Michael Judge 5-1 in the International open in Aberdeen.

Despite his poor run of results the six times world championship finalist stressed: "I've never had any thoughts of giving up the game. I love snooker too much for that. I still think you can play good stuff until you're 45 - if your eyes don't go.

"When you're desperate for a result you get more careless and that's what's been happening to me. But I'm still in there punching and hopefully I can go on to pick up a few more wins."

White's slump has seen him drop to 36th on the provisional world rankings after starting the season at No 13.

John Higgins, the world No 2 sighed, made a successful start to the defence of his International Open title. He beat Graeme Dott 5-4 to stretch his unbeaten record in the event to 13 matches.