England's Paul Hunter competes at the 2006 World Snooker China Open at Beijing University Students Gymnasium in Beijing, capital of China, March 21, 2006. England's David Roe defeated compatriot Paul Hunter, and moved to top 16. (Xinhua photo)

BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Former World No. 4 Paul Hunter suffered an early exit in World Snooker China Open here on Tuesday after losing to David Roe in the first round.

    Hunter was diagnosed with cancer before last year's China Open and has spent much time undergoing treatment, but he came to Beijing despite his illness.

    Down 0-3 in games, Hunter tried to come back in the fourth and leveled the score 4-4 in the best-of-nine games of the first round.

    But David Roe, who beat Li Yinxi of China 5-2 in the wild card round on Monday, fought back in the deciding frame and gave Hunter the fifth successive loss of the season.

    Roe, who reached the last 16 of a ranking tournament for the first time in 10 years, paid his tribute to Hunter after the match.

    "I knew Paul was ill but I didn't realize how much pain he was in. You feel awful playing him and his condition puts snooker into perspective,"said Roe.

    Roe next faces Joe Swail, who trounced Jimmy White 5-3 on Tuesday.

    White opened the first round with a 3-0 lead over Swail before the Northern Ireland player raised his game, compiling breaks of 58, 81 and 67 to deny White's first victory in 2006.

    While leaving for Beijing, White stood 29th in the provisional rankings having failed to win a match in five months and will fall further following another disappointing display.

    "I'm really struggling with confidence," White admitted. "I'm putting in the work but not producing anything under pressure." Enditem