Match Reports from the 888.com World Snooker Championship
Carter Takes Off
Stephen Hendry 2 – 6 Ali Carter
Budding pilot, Ali Carter took charge of his second round match with Stephen Hendry with an excellent display of break building.
The 27-year-old made a century and four other breaks over 65 in the eight-frame first session.
Carter, who comfortably beat Andy Hicks in round one, took the first frame with a tidy 68. Hendry hit back to level with a 91, and moved ahead after winning the third frame.
The seven-times world champion struggled in his first round victory against Dave Gilbert, and there were signs that he was still not on top form. The Scot missed some simple pots, which proved expensive.
Hendry did not score a point in the next two frames. Carter was in the groove and knocked in a 78 and 72 to regain the lead. He overturned a 52-point deficit with another break of 72 to win the sixth frame.
Hendry had another chance in the seventh frame, but was unable to score heavily enough to keep the rampant Carter at bay.
The world number 15 saved his best for last, with a 111 break to take his fifth frame in a row and finish the session 6-2 up. It was his third century of the tournament, the most by an individual so far.
As well as Carter played, there is still a lot of snooker left in this match. He needs to win another seven frames to reach his first Crucible quarter-final, which is a long way to go against a player of Stephen Hendry’s calibre.
By David Pritchard
