'Whirlwind's' showdown

Former Wembley champions The 'Whirlwind' and Welshman Stevens are two of the star attractions as the country's leading snooker players descend on the English Institute of Sport for this year's six-day qualifying tournament, which runs between September 7 and 12.

Only one player from a group of 62 professionals will earn a wildcard to play at the calendar's most prestigious invitational event at Wembley Arena (Sept 13-20). Both White and Stevens have fallen out of the top 16 after surprise dips in form during the past few seasons, and so it's no surprise their first round clash today over the best-of-seven frames has extra spice.

The winner of the match will go on to play either Devonian potter Andy Hicks or Cumbrian cueman Leo Fernandez in the second round on Sunday morning (10am).

The top 16 players including Rotherham's Shaun Murphy, the world No 3, will be not be action as their ranking has automatically secured qualification for the Masters.

But a host of former ranking event winners and promising youngsters will be on show in South Yorkshire, all gunning to snatch the single wildcard place which is up for grabs.

New Shanghai Masters champion Dominic Dale will be in action, as will Stoke young gun Jamie Cope, runner-up at last year's Aberdeen Grand Prix and a China Open.

This year's qualifying rounds, all best-of-seven frames, will be played until Monday, with quarter finals and semi-finals (best-of-nine) on Tuesday, followed by a showcase best-of-11 frame final on Wednesday morning.