Jimmy White is two matches from a return to the World Championship after a gritty 6-4 win over Michael Georgiou in the second qualifying round in Sheffield.
White, the six-time finalist who has not competed at the Crucible since 2006, took the first frame against 32-year-old Cypriot Georgiou.
However, Georgiou edged the next three frames to lead by two at the interval.
A break of 54 saw White over the line in the fifth and a snooker behind the brown, which Georgiou needed three attempts at, helped the 58-year-old draw level.
White took a scrappy seventh but a wayward safety shot let Georgiou, a Crucible debutant last year, in for a classy 121 clearance to make it 4-4.
I don't want to get too carried away but Jimmy White is now two wins away from the Crucible. Please, please, 2020 really needs this 🙏 pic.twitter.com/r7b4M9SSa5
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 23, 2020
White came out on top after a safety battle in the next to move to within one frame of victory and finished his opponent off in two visits to reach the penultimate qualifying round, where he will face Robert Milkins.
🤞 We don't want to tempt fate but Jimmy White is two wins away from qualifying for the World Championship!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 23, 2020
With shots like this, is luck finally on his side?pic.twitter.com/uk2uvEkgJe
"I'm delighted," White told Eurosport. "From 3-1 down I was all at sea, missing safety shots, pots and positional shots.
"Mike had a couple of chances and he let me off, and I settled a little bit. I tried to play snooker and enjoy it, and from 3-3 I felt OK.
"I am really playing well - although it might not look like it - but against Robert I'm going to have to up my game again."
😅 Jimmy White's Crucible dream was dying at 3-1 down but he bounced back to win 6-4.
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 23, 2020
🤞 'Just' two more victories needed for him to qualify for the World Championship.
👏 Come on @jimmywhite147 pic.twitter.com/jXeFXP5cg3
