Ali Carter, tipped as one to watch by Ronnie O'Sullivan, failed to make any capital gains against Londoner David Gray at the Embassy World Championship in Sheffield on Wednesday.

Gray, who now meets Welsh qualifier Lee Walker, defeated his Essex rival 10-7, finishing off with a break of 86 in the last frame.

And his opening win should ensure last season's Scottish Open champion retains his top 16 season status next season.

"Ali is one of the three hardest players I could have had in the draw," said the 25-year-old, world number 12.

"And to be honest I focused so hard on beating him I wasn't aware who I was due to play next.

"Considering there was so much riding on the result I think it was a pretty high standard.

"And I'm fairly sure I'll be in the 16 next season."

Carter though is likely to be marooned just outside the top echelon after he failed to build on a 2-0 lead.

Gray stunned O'Sullivan at the same stage of the 2000 event but folded badly in the next round against Dominic Dale.

"Hopefully, I've got a bit more experience this time. I wasn't prepared for all the media attention that followed after that game."

Carter did his best to turn the match around. He trailed 6-3 at the start of the second session, closed to 6-5 and twice more trailed by just a single frame.

But Gray retained his composure and produced telling breaks of 72, 55 and 86 in the closing frames.