World number nine seed Neil Robertson has taken a four frame lead against fifth-seeded Ali Carter in the first session of their World Snooker Championship semi-final at the Crucible.
The Australian player shot into a five frame lead before a stunned Carter replied after the mid-session interval. Carter got off the blocks in the seventh frame and clawed back one more before they settled play for the day at 6-2. The semi-finalists resume play on Friday at 10am.
This evening’s second semi-final between Mark Selby and Graeme Dott commences at 7pm at the Crucible. Selby defeated hot-favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan in the quarter-final and has now been installed as the new favourite to win the championship.
