Ali Carter and Ryan Day advance to Championship League final day
Carter cruised through to the final stage in Leicester (Steven Paston/PA Archive/PA Images)
Ali Carter continued his impressive Championship League record by topping Group E with a 100 per cent record at the Morningside Arena in Leicester.
Runner-up to Martin Gould in 2013, Carter is also a two-time semi-finalist at the round-robin event.
And the Captain has booked his place in the final day of action for the seventh time since the inaugural tournament in 2008.
Carter was unbeaten in Stage One as he topped Group 24 with a match to spare, but faced stiff competition on Tuesday from two former World Champions in Shaun Murphy and Graeme Dott.
Despite losing the opening frame, the four-time ranking event winner recovered for a 3-1 success over 2006 Crucible king Dott.
He then made breaks of 59, 80 and 71 on the way to recording a win by the same scoreline against birthday boy Murphy, who was celebrating turning 39.
That meant a point against the already eliminated Gerard Greene would be enough to see Carter through to Friday’s finale, and another 3-1 triumph subsequently sealed the deal.
“I’ve been working hard back home and doing the right things; I’ve come here today and it’s paid off,” he told Matchroom.
“I knew it was going to be a tough group. Obviously, Shaun and Graeme are both former World champions, so I knew I had it all to do.
“I was a bit under pressure in the last match because I knew I only needed a draw. But as soon as I got to two (frames), the pressure was off.
“It’s great to be involved, it’s a great tournament and I’m really enjoying it.
“If I can turn up on Friday and enjoy it again, then I’ll be happy.”
Meanwhile, Ryan Day joined Carter in Group Two alongside David Gilbert and Cao Yupeng, while ensuring he will feature on the final day of the competition for a fourth time.
Runner-up to John Higgins in 2017, the Welshman opened with a 2-2 draw against Alexander Ursenbacher, who had advanced to Stage Two without conceding a single frame.
He then overcame Ashley Hugill 3-1 to take his tally to four points ahead of facing Stuart Bingham, who won both his opening matches.
Only a victory would do for Day, who dominated proceedings with runs of 57 and 74 to prevail a commanding 3-0 winner.
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Championship league Snooker 2021 Results
Tuesday August 10
Shaun Murphy 3-1 Gerard Greene (Group E)
Ryan Day 2-2 Alexander Ursenbacher (Group F)
Graeme Dott 1-3 Ali Carter (Group E)
Stuart Bingham 3-1 Ashley Hugill (Group F)
Graeme Dott 3-1 Gerard Greene (Group E)
Stuart Bingham 3-0 Alexander Ursenbacher (Group F)
Shaun Murphy 1-3 Ali Carter (Group E)
Ryan Day 3-1 Ashley Hugill (Group F)
Ali Carter 3-1 Gerard Greene (Group E)
Stuart Bingham 0-3 Ryan Day (Group F)
Shaun Murphy 3-0 Graeme Dott (Group E)
Alexander Ursenbacher 2-2 Ashley Hugill (Group F)
| NAME | P | W | L | FW | FL | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ali Carter | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 9 |
| Shaun Murphy | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| Graeme Dott | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 3 |
| Gerard Greene | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 0 |
| NAME | P | W | L | FW | FL | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Day | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 7 |
| Stuart Bingham | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| Alexander Ursenbacher | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 2 |
| Ashley Hugill | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 1 |