Mei-Day As Captain Crashes

Ali Carter suffered a surprise 4-1 defeat against Mei Xi Wen in the qualifying round for the European Masters in Preston.

China’s Mei, the world number 70, goes through to the final stages of the world ranking event in Lommel, Belgium in October.

Carter, ranked 13th, won the opening frame with a break of 52, but Mei took the second on the last black. That proved the turning point as Mei won the next three frames.

Shaun Murphy was another high profile casualty as he lost 4-2 to John Astley. Runs of 50 and 52 helped Astley build a 3-1 lead. Murphy pulled one back but Astley secured victory in frame six.

Stuart Bingham saw off Tian Pengfei 4-1 despite a top break of just 36. John Higgins was also a 4-1 winner, beating Niu Zhuang.

Ryan Day came from 2-1 and 3-2 down to beat Germany’s Lukas Kleckers 4-3. Day made a 103 in the opening frame and later a 93 in the decider.

Alfie Burden recovered a 3-1 deficit to beat Ricky Walden 4-3, compiling runs of 73, 64 and 76 in the last three frames.

Zhou Yuelong edged out Robbie Williams 4-3 with a top break of 116 while Anthony McGill saw off Matthew Stevens 4-2.

Promising Swiss potter Alexander Ursenbacher top scored with 82 in a 4-1 win over Li Hang.

For full results click here and for ticket details for the final stages in Lommel, Belgium click here