Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White will renew their rivalry in the first round of qualifying for this year’s Betfred World Championship.
Hendry, who recently made his comeback to the professional tour after nearly nine years in retirement, defeated White in the final of the competition on four occasions when their rivalry peaked in the early 1990s.
Here, the PA news agency takes a brief look at the quartet of high-profile showdowns:
Hendry 18 White 12 – 1990
White ended a run of four straight Crucible defeats to Steve Davis by beating his old rival in the semi-final to reach the showpiece. But there was a new kid on the block and Hendry celebrated rising to the top of the rankings by easing to victory over White to become the youngest world champion at the tender age of 21 years and 106 days.
Hendry 18 White 14 – 1992
John Parrott had denied White 12 months beforehand but the Whirlwind looked set to get his hands on the prize that had eluded him as he led Hendry 14-8. However, Hendry rallied in supreme fashion, executing one of the greatest comebacks ever witnessed in the sport to reel off 10 frames in a row to capture his second title.
Hendry 18 White 5 – 1993
This was the most one-sided of their meetings. Hendry compiled three century breaks as he demolished his adversary. Hendry’s spectacular win was the last time a final finished with a session to spare.
Hendry 18 White 17 – 1994
The last of White’s six final appearances – including five in a row – was the closest he came to landing the grand prize, only to be edged out in a nail-biting decider. The left-handed cueist missing a black off its spot proved decisive as Hendry swooped in to clear up as he added another world title to his expanding collection.
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