Snooker legend advises Perth potter not to rest on his laurels

Perth potter told not to rest on laurels after impressive run to Cardiff semi-finals

Scott Donaldson had the tournament of his young career at last week’s Coral Welsh Open – but snooker legend Jimmy White insists the Perth potter can’t rest on his laurels.

Donaldson was competing in Cardiff last week in the fourth and final Home Nations event, having lost on the second round of the Scottish and English versions while making it to the fourth round in Northern Ireland.

But the 76th-ranked player blew those previous results out of the water as he beat five players higher in the standings than him before losing 6-3 to world no 1 Judd Trump at the semi-final stage.

Even against Trump 22-year-old Donaldson showed what he is about as he fought back from 3-0 down to make a game of it before eventually bowing out with a loss.

And former UK champion White was impressed with what he saw from Donaldson, even if he believes he needs to be looking over his shoulder.

“He’s been around for quite a while, even though he is only 22. I have known him for about three or four years,” said White.

“I am glad he put up a fight and I am glad he got back to 4-3 because he was bang in the match against Trump.

“But he missed a few really easy shots and you can’t afford to give Judd Trump a three-nil headstart.

“He didn’t get out of the block quick enough, that’s what let him down. He has done well, he has had a great tournament, picked up some ranking points and he can kick on from there.

“He needs to start scoring a bit more heavily which I am sure he will start doing but he is only young, he’s just 22.

“But, there are three or four Chinese boys in front of him and they are a lot younger than him,” added White.

Earlier in the Welsh Open Donaldson was in fine fettle, losing just three frames in knocking out Jack Lisowski, Mark King and Jimmy Robertson.

He was made to work against Mark Davis before edging him out 4-3, only to return and whitewash Zhou Yuelong of China 5-0.

And while Trump proved a bridge too far, White believes the make-up of the new and innovative Home Nations series could play into Donaldson’s hands.

“It is a best of seven race in the earlier rounds it is a very quick game. There is no interval so it is all very quick,” White said.

“It definitely suits the younger players like Donaldson because they are just used to playing all the way through with no break.

“It is definitely good for snooker – these Home Nations tournaments have been brilliant.”

The Welsh Open was LIVE on Eurosport 1 and Quest, featuring daily studio analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.

Young Perth snooker star Scott Donaldson, left, has received words of advice from legend Jimmy White.