Carter inspired by advice from Ebdon

Ali Carter has revealed the impact Peter Ebdon is having on his mission to win the World Championship.

Essex potter Carter was a finalist in 2008, losing to Ronnie O’Sullivan, and his prospects of becoming champion at the Crucible looked doomed earlier this season when his battle with Crohn’s Disease became increasingly agonising.

But Carter, 32, has started a no-dairy, no-wheat diet and is back to feeling well again, as he demonstrated in beating Judd Trump 13-12, coming from three frames behind with four to play.

Ebdon was present in support of Carter, which 22-year-old Trump called “a bit strange”. But Carter paid tribute to the 41-year-old, who won the 2002 world title and lost in the first round to O’Sullivan this year, explaining how his advice had paid off.

“Peter came up to support me on Monday and give me some words of wisdom,” Carter said.

“He knows what it’s like to be world champion. He’s been there and done it. I haven’t and nor have a lot of players. He’s got some invaluable advice for me and I respect Peter.

“It’s all very well having these sports psychologists. But they don’t know what it’s like to be out there playing under pressure.

“Peter does and that’s why I respect him.

“In the dressing room he’s just giving me some words of advice and words of wisdom, and telling me a few things that might help in the tight situations, and sometimes any little edge you can get can be enough.”

Trump later said: “A lot of players enjoy me losing. Ninety-nine per cent of people are on my side and I take no real notice of any other players.”

Last year’s runner-up also said Carter was “childish” for applauding sarcastically at one point, as Trump laid a snooker with what appeared to be a slice of luck.

Hendry quits

Stephen Hendry announced his retirement after losing in the quarter-finals of the World Championship last night.

The 43-year-old won seven world titles at the Crucible and bowed out of the sport after a 13-2 defeat to fellow Scot Stephen Maguire.

Hendry said: “I am officially retired now from tournament snooker.

“I made the decision about three months ago.

“I didn’t tell many people. I only told two or three people, but this is me finished from tournament snooker. The fact that I’m not enjoying practise didn’t help.”

Results
Quarter-finals: Maguire bt Hendry 13-2; Stevens leads Day 10-5; Carter leads Jones 5-3; Robertson leads O’Sullivan 5-3.