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Ssb - when the wind blows
James Warren White will be 50 in a few weeks time. There is only one player older than him on the professional circuit, a certain Steve Davis.
To have lasted as long as he has is testament to Jimmy's love of snooker. You have to love it as much as he does to keep on going despite a myriad of setbacks.
It would be a shame if historians of the future came to define White's career purely by the six world finals he failed to win because the fact is that despite these disappointments he has still won far more than most could ever wish for.
He would admit he didn't always dedicate himself to snooker as much as he needed to in the years when the game came easy but he is working hard now to prolong his career, and is, all things considered, doing pretty well.
He remains a member of the top 48 in the seedings. He will have to win two matches to qualify for the Crucible, the same number as he won to reach Beijing.
Today in the wildcard round of the China Open he plays Omar Alkojah of Syria, a country which is currently going through unimaginable horrors.
White is a big favourite and would play Judd Trump, the latest in the lineage of flair players of which the Whirlwind is part, in the first round.
White keeps himself busy on the exhibition circuit, where he remains a big draw. If you see him play in this environment you'd wonder why he isn't still in the top 16 but of course in matches there is intense pressure because it is here where it really counts.
White's old adversary, Stephen Hendry, is also in action today in one of two last 32 matches.
It's 20 years since Hendry came from 14-8 down to beat White 18-14 in the 1992 world final, a gripping contest which would be taught in schools were snooker on the curriculum.
That was 20 years ago, though. Hendry is now, like White, fighting to stay in contention.
Martin Gould is the sort of player he won't mind playing because he knows it will be an open, attacking game.
Neil Robertson beat Jamie Cope to win his first world ranking title, the 2006 Grand Prix.
It's no great shock Robertson has won several more since but is perhaps surprising that Cope is still waiting to join the game's winners' circle.
An hereditary condition which causes him to shake in his head and right arm has obviously affected not just his form but also his confidence. A win over Robertson, one of the players of the season, would provide a huge injection of self belief.
Today's other TV match pits Peter Ebdon against Lu Haotian, a 14 year-old who the Chinese obviously have high hopes for.
He doubtless plays many hours of snooker each week but Ebdon, with his all round knowledge, represents an entirely different form of snooker education.
Eurosport will be showing all four TV matches live on its two channels at 7.30am and 12.30pm BST.
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To have lasted as long as he has is testament to Jimmy's love of snooker. You have to love it as much as he does to keep on going despite a myriad of setbacks.
It would be a shame if historians of the future came to define White's career purely by the six world finals he failed to win because the fact is that despite these disappointments he has still won far more than most could ever wish for.
He would admit he didn't always dedicate himself to snooker as much as he needed to in the years when the game came easy but he is working hard now to prolong his career, and is, all things considered, doing pretty well.
He remains a member of the top 48 in the seedings. He will have to win two matches to qualify for the Crucible, the same number as he won to reach Beijing.
Today in the wildcard round of the China Open he plays Omar Alkojah of Syria, a country which is currently going through unimaginable horrors.
White is a big favourite and would play Judd Trump, the latest in the lineage of flair players of which the Whirlwind is part, in the first round.
White keeps himself busy on the exhibition circuit, where he remains a big draw. If you see him play in this environment you'd wonder why he isn't still in the top 16 but of course in matches there is intense pressure because it is here where it really counts.
White's old adversary, Stephen Hendry, is also in action today in one of two last 32 matches.
It's 20 years since Hendry came from 14-8 down to beat White 18-14 in the 1992 world final, a gripping contest which would be taught in schools were snooker on the curriculum.
That was 20 years ago, though. Hendry is now, like White, fighting to stay in contention.
Martin Gould is the sort of player he won't mind playing because he knows it will be an open, attacking game.
Neil Robertson beat Jamie Cope to win his first world ranking title, the 2006 Grand Prix.
It's no great shock Robertson has won several more since but is perhaps surprising that Cope is still waiting to join the game's winners' circle.
An hereditary condition which causes him to shake in his head and right arm has obviously affected not just his form but also his confidence. A win over Robertson, one of the players of the season, would provide a huge injection of self belief.
Today's other TV match pits Peter Ebdon against Lu Haotian, a 14 year-old who the Chinese obviously have high hopes for.
He doubtless plays many hours of snooker each week but Ebdon, with his all round knowledge, represents an entirely different form of snooker education.
Eurosport will be showing all four TV matches live on its two channels at 7.30am and 12.30pm BST.
More...