Tiptree's Ali Carter hit the form of his life as he claimed his biggest scalp to date when he beat the current world snooker champion yesterday.

Currently ranked 31 in the world, Carter played Peter Ebdon in the second round of the Regal Scottish Open and despatched him five frames to two.

Carter beat seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry in the same competition two years ago and Ebdon is just one of six world champions to have fallen to the up-and-coming 23-year-old Mark Williams, Steve Davis, John Parrott and Joe Johnson are the others.

He opened up a 3-0 lead over Ebdon with breaks of 116 and 76, then made it 4-1 with a total clearance of 142 the highest tournament break of his seven-year professional career.

Ebdon won the sixth frame to cut the deficit to 4-2 but squandered three chances in the next and paid the inevitable price.

Carter couldn't be happier at the moment after making a complete recovery from a bowel operation to cure Crohn's disease.

"It's just great to be here competing, let alone winning. Considering only six weeks ago I was laid up in hospital screaming in agony I've performed miracles," he said.

The time out had made a massive dent in Carter's preparations, missing several weeks of practice at the Halstead Snooker Centre.

Depite beating the world champion Carter is confident that Ebdon will be back in form.

Carter said: "Peter didn't play to his best but I'm sure he'll be back for the World Championship.

"I missed a couple of balls but apart from that, I was happy with my performance. Now it would be nice to string a few results together."

Carter faces world number 21 Dave Harold in the next round, the match will take place tomorrow at 7pm

Published Tuesday, April 8, 2003

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