Carter's Crucible aim

Carter: World finalist

It's massive, it's so special there, obviously that's what makes the event and that's the one everyone wants to win or do well in.

Ali Carter
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World Championship runner-up Ali Carter told skysports.com he is desperate to go one better at the Crucible this year, where he does not see any shocks coming in the sport's blue riband event.

The 29-year-old made it all the way to the final at the Crucible last year, only to run in to Ronnie O'Sullivan in fine form as 'The Rocket' won the title again.

Although it was Carter's biggest performance at the World Championships, he still emerged disappointed after going so far but missing out on the trophy.

Essex potter Carter says he feels less pressure this year, as he has proved he can go all the way at the Crucible, and that experience, he hopes, will help him clear the final hurdle this time around.

"I was disappointed last year, there's no point getting to finals and not winning," Carter told skysports.com.

Winner

"You want to be a tournament winner, that's what it's all about, that's where we all want to be at the end of our careers, to say that we're a world champion.

"It's a massive achievement for any one of us, so this year I hope that it's me.

"I feel less pressure this year, I've proved a lot to myself so I'm feeling less pressure and I'm going to go out there and enjoy myself - and if you can enjoy playing then you have more of a chance in the end."

The Crucible is the pinnacle of snooker, and Carter believes it is essential that is stays put, with some talk of moving the World Championships elsewhere in the future.

"It's massive, it's so special there, obviously that's what makes the event and that's the one everyone wants to win or do well in," said Carter, who faces Gerard Greene in the first round.

"I don't think it will move personally. I wouldn't like it if it moved, it's got to be in Sheffield for me."

Rankings rise

Carter has risen up to fourth in the world rankings after also winning the Welsh Open, and he thinks that he is now amongst the only eight players capable of winning the world title.

"My goal for the year was to be in the top four and I'm fourth at the minute, I've got a bit more work to do yet in the World Championships so hopefully I can do well and even move up a bit more.

"You just look at the top eight in the ranking list and I think you've got all the possible winners.

"I don't think there will be any shocks this year, it's just too long a session for there to be any shocks really."

Sponsors

Carter welcomed the news that Betfred have signed a four-year deal to sponsor the tournament.

"It's great news obviously," he added. "I think they've got great value for money sponsoring snooker, I don't think it's that much of a surprise personally because it is such a good brand.

"If I had a multi-million pound company I'd sponsor it, maybe I will sponsor it in a few years' time!

"It's a hard time at the minute but sooner or later somebody was going to step up and put their money where their mouth is and Betfred have done that. It is fantastic and hopefully it's a long continued partnership."