Whirlwind blows his own trumpet

Jimmy White is ready to embark on what he hopes will be a winning run at the China Open this week.

The six-time Crucible runner-up is hoping to find the form that might carry him through qualifying for this year's World Championship - and potentially celebrate his 50th birthday in style at Sheffield. White, who has failed to qualify for the Crucible for the last five years, faces Syrian player Omar Alkojah in the wild-card round in Beijing on Monday. If he comes through that then it would set up a mouthwatering clash with China Open defending champion and current World Championship runner-up Judd Trump - the latest heir to White's title of crowd favourite. The man nicknamed 'The Whirlwind' during his 1990s heyday is backing himself to make a big impression, insisting that he is currently in his best form for many years. "I just still love playing and always have done so," said White. "I can still win any tournament. "I'm giving it plenty of time on the practice table. If I can keep it going, who knows."