2024 Xi'an Grand Prix Snooker: Daniel Wells ousts Ali Carter

World Snooker Tour
Daniel Wells caused the biggest upset of the inaugural World Snooker Tour Xi'an Grand Prix, so far, as he eliminated Ali Carter 5-4 in the opening round at the Mattioli Arena on Friday night.

Welshman Wells won three consecutive frames from 2-1 down to move one away from victory, but recent Championship League winner Carter forced a deciding frame. However, Wells booked his place in the final rounds in China next month as he pipped frame nine on the final pink.

Elsewhere in Leicester during either Friday’s afternoon or evening sessions, Mark Williams compiled breaks of 140 and 104 as he whitewashed Liam Graham, 5-0. Fellow top 16 star Barry Hawkins also advanced to the last 64; 'The Hawk' top scored with a 102 in a 5-1 victory over Kreishh Gurbaxani.

Two more elite bracket cueists had made it through earlier in the day, although they were both taken close.

Tom Ford recovered from 3-2 down to defeat Stan Moody 5-3, while World Championship runner-up Jak Jones came back from 4-2 behind against Robbie McGuigan, pushing the contest all the way and crafting a 31 clearance in the deciding frame to win it on the final black. Earlier in the tie, McGuigan constructed a 106 to go on the hill.

Teenager Paul Deaville received a very late call-up to the tournament only a few hours before his tie with Wu Yize. The amateur top-up player - who won the English Amateur Snooker Championship last year - produced breaks of 100 and 70 in a 5-3 win. Wu had contributions of 126 and 116 during the fixture.

There were also wins for Zak Surety, Joe O'Connor, Pang Junxu, Ricky Walden, Matt Selt and David Lilley. For the 2024 World Snooker Tour Xi'an Grand Prix draw and results, visit here.

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