Ali Carter calls out Ronnie O’Sullivan ahead of Judgement Day in World Championship Qualifiers

Ali Carter has set his sights on a grudge clash with rival Ronnie O’Sullivan in the upcoming World Snooker Championship as he bids to secure his place in the sport’s show-piece via the qualifiers.

Carter, who lost to O’Sullivan in the 2008 and 2012 World Finals, gained his revenge with a 13-9 victory in a highly-charged Second Round show-down 12 months ago.

The pair rubbed shoulders and exchanged words during a tense battle at The Crucible, and Carter says he would relish another meeting with his Essex rival.

“I hope I qualify and I’d love to draw him again in the First Round,” Carter told World Snooker.

“It’d be a great match, I thoroughly enjoyed playing him last year.

“He’s the man now, anything he enters, he’s winning, so I’d turn up and just give it my best shot again.

“But I can’t get ahead of myself, I’ve got one more match to win here.”

Carter has cruised into the final qualifying round for the loss of just five frames, firstly thrashing Yorkshire’s Paul Davison 10-1 before reeling off six consecutive frames to defeat Jimmy White 10-4 on Monday.

Runner-up in this season’s World Grand Prix, Carter now faces Gateshead’s John Astley for the right to feature in a 17th consecutive Betfred World Championship.

He added: “This next match is massive and I’d just be delighted to qualify.

“Seventeen years, with what I’ve been through with my Crohn’s and my cancer, that’s not a bad record really.

“There’s plenty who wouldn’t have done that if they’d had what I’ve had thrown at me.

“But let’s forget about the last 17 years, it doesn’t mean anything, it’s all about tomorrow now.”