Chinese debutant Xiao Guodong came close to pulling off a major upset in his first-round match against two-time runner-up Ali Carter at the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield on Sunday.
At 8-8, the 25-year-old qualifier was on the brink of a famous victory, only for Carter to take control of the next frame with a break of 80 before capitalising on a mistake by Xiao to complete victory.
“He played well and solid and doesn’t look like he’s under pressure,” Carter said of his beaten opponent.
“All credit to me for making an 80 break and playing a granite last frame there.
“Every time I was on the floor, I picked myself up and did it. I seem to be able to do that and that’s good.”
Carter, who overcame testicular cancer last year, will play either Mark Selby or Michael White in round two.