Hunter - convincing win against Carter
HUNTER TO PUT FRIENDSHIP ASIDE
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Paul Hunter and Matthew Stevens will put their friendship aside next week when
they go head-to-head for a place in the Embassy World Championship
quarter-finals.
Indeed, Hunter promises it will be a painful experience for his Welsh friend
when they meet over the best-of-25-frame clash.
The 24-year-old Leeds professional - the only Yorkshireman involved in the
tournament - sailed into round two with a 10-5 victory over Ali Carter.
Qualifier Carter at least added some respectability to the scoreline after
facing an embarrassing whitewash.
The Tiptree professional lost the first eight frames and eventually closed the
deficit to 9-5 before Hunter put him out of his misery.
"I've got a good record against Matthew so I'm going to win," Hunter joked.
"He might actually be slight favourite because he has got a good record here
having reached the final and two semi-finals.
"So, it should be a good game. Matthew will want to win as badly as I do
especially as he needs to win the title to stay in the top eight.
"We've known each other since we were 12. Our dads used to take us to
under-16 tournaments up and down the country.
"It was bit strange when we first played each other as professionals. But at
least we can have a chat to each other when we're sitting side by side.
"I might just give him a dig in the ribs to make sure I win."
The defeat of Ronnie O'Sullivan has improved the title chances of a number of
players, including Hunter.
But the British Open champion said: "To be honest we weren't due to meet
until the final. However, if I can get past Matthew into the quarter-finals I
will really feel I'm involved in the tournament.
"I've never been beyond the second round. So, if anything I have been more
determined than ever to do well. And I think I can go all the way and pick-up
the trophy."
Hunter resumed with an 8-1 lead and immediately extended his advantage to 9-1,
helped by his sixth half century of the match.
With nothing to lose Carter began to cue freely and won the next four frames
with breaks of 54, 48, 101 and 40.
"I was just pleased to make a game of it," said the 23-year-old world number
31 after his Crucible debut came to an end. "It's a very difficult place to
play and the atmosphere is unbelievable.
"It's so intimate people at home would not believe how hard it is."
Hunter added: "I didn't think I was going to lose but when Ali started to
come back you always start to worry.
"It's the first round and you're always dying to win. But I can relax now and
look forward to playing Matthew."
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