Wattana thrashed
James Wattana, twice a semi-finalist in the Embassy World Championship, suffered an astonishing 10-0 defeat to Ali Carter in Prestatyn tonight to be denied a return to the Crucible.
Wattana, who appeared in the last four in 1993 and 1997, became only the eighth player to be whitewashed in the final qualifying round of snooker’s top event – and the first for 12 years.
The Thai was out of sorts today, losing the fifth frame on a re-spotted black after Carter had got the two snookers he needed.
“I played very badly,” said Wattana, once as high as third in the world but currently 33rd.
“Ali’s safety was excellent – and every time I made a mistake he punished me. I should have won the fifth frame and after that I couldn’t concentrate.
“It’s such a shame to lose 10-0. It’s so embarrassing.”
Carter, the world number 19 from Tiptree, made highest breaks of 81, 59 and 62 in clinching a 9-0 first session lead – and comfortably wrapped up victory by winning the 10th on the resumption.
“After winning the fifth frame, I never looked back,” he said.
“My head was right, and that made the difference. It’s the reason I’ve underachieved in the past.
“I’ve been seeing a sports psychologist called Steve Sylvester, and we’re working on some really good stuff to get me right.”
Carter, 25, has appeared at The Crucible for the past two seasons but is yet to win a match at the game’s spiritual home.
He will find out which of the elite top 16 players he will be facing when the draw is made next Monday.
The last whitewash in the final qualifying round of the World Championship came in 1993 when Danny Fowler beat Karl Broughton 10-0.
Anthony Hamilton, three times a Crucible quarter-finalist, beat Darren Morgan - a semi-finalist in 1994 – 10-2 to seal his place at Sheffield.
