'Such a big event' – Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter set to clash at Championship League snooker

Ronnie O'Sullivan and his fierce Essex rival Ali Carter will clash at the Championship League after world No. 20 Carter clinched his last-32 spot in style on Thursday. The duo – who have contested some memorable duals at the World Championship – will face each other in Group A on Wednesday 27 July in a section that also contains Yuan Sijun and Pang Junxu.

Ad/> Carter was happy with his form after winning Group 17 on Thursday courtesy of 3-0 victories against Robbie McGuigan and Louis Heathcote before a 2-2 draw with Wu Yize secured his progress. SnookerLatest Championship League group winners – Who is through to last 32?YESTERDAY AT 10:10 World champion O'Sullivan topped Group 1 in his first competitive action of the new season. «Two good performances early on today,» said Carter, who hit seven breaks of 50 in his three matches to edge out Wu on seven points.

«It’s a long day. I felt a bit tired in the last match. What a great player Wu is.

He hits the ball well. »He’s just a kid running around potting everything. It’s pleasing to get through and it's job done.

«It’s such a big event now. It’s the first event of the season and David Gilbert won it last year and it got him in everything. »It’s a great opportunity to get the season off to a good start.” /> What does 2022/23 snooker season look like after key updates? 'It sounds good' – Zhao targets world No 1 spot after winning start to new season World No.

53 Pang ran out winner in Group 25 with 3-1 wins over Reanne Evans and Dylan Emery respectively and a 2-2 draw with Ryan Day. Pang enjoyed sparkling breaks of 81 and 108 against Evans before running in marvellous 136 and 137 knocks in defeating Emery. Judd Trump, Stuart Bingham, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen and defending