Paul Hunter breezed past Allister Carter at the Embassy Championships in Sheffield to set up a second round clash with his best friend Matthew Stevens.
Hunter went into the second session with a commanding 8-1 lead, but Carter was in no mood to just roll over and lose, and he cut Hunter's advantage to four frames at 9-5, before the Englishman took the 15th frame to seal his victory.
"He came back well and it was a matter of me falling over the line," Hunter said, as he looked forward to his showdown with Stevens. "He's my best mate on the circuit and we both want to win badly. I've got a good record against him and I'm really looking forward to it," he said.
""I'm more determined this year than I've ever been over the past four years, probably because I haven't done well here. I'm determined to pick that trophy up," Hunter added, signalling his intent.
Elsewhere, Mark Williams booked his place in the final sixteen with a 10-2 whitewash over Stuart Pettman of England, and will now face Quinten Hann of Australia for a place in the quarter finals. Leading 7-2 at the start of the session, Williams took just half an hour to see off the challenge of Petteman, as he rattled off three frames in succession.
William's victory means that he has now won 46 successive opening matches in ranking events, spanning over five years, a record that he is understandably proud of. "It makes a change to have a record Stephen Hendry doesn't hold. It would be great if I could get it up to 50, and it's going to be at least six months before anyone has a chance to beat me." he said.
Filed by Rob Wright
