World Snooker Championship: Defending champion Stuart Bingham out in first round
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 19/04/16 8:35am
Defending champion Stuart Bingham has been knocked out of the World Championship in the first round, falling to the 'Crucible Curse' after going down 10-9 to qualifier Ali Carter in a gripping encounter.
No first-time winner has ever successfully held onto their crown in Sheffield and Bingham fell at the first hurdle, albeit to a player who has twice finished runner-up in the tournament.
Sixteen previous first-time world champions had tried and failed to retain the title 12 months on from their maiden triumphs, and Bingham now joins the illustrious list.
Having trailed 8-5, the world No 2 claimed four frames in a row to lead 9-8, hitting the front with a 113 break.
But Carter came back at him, first when making 102 to level and force the decider and then when edging over the line after both men saw match-winning opportunities slip away.
Bingham missed two pinks to the middle that were to prove costly, and then a tough final red when the frame hung in the balance.
Carter cut it in and added the pink to effectively end Bingham's hopes.
A superb yellow followed, and the man who has twice survived cancer in recent years was soon able to celebrate one of his finest victories.
During his glory run last year, Bingham saw off Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy in successive matches to take the title, each time as the underdog.
This time the roles were different, with Bingham the favourite despite his opponent's previous Crucible successes.
Carter said he would be "fresh as a daisy", despite having to contest three best-of-19-frame qualifying matches, the most recent on Wednesday, when he saw off Dominic Dale.
But neither he nor Bingham were close to daisy-fresh when at 11.25pm, the handshake came.
"I'm gutted to be going back home," said Bingham.
"I battled to 9-8 and missed a couple of chances to wrap the game up. Fair play to Ali. It just wasn't meant to be for me.
"It was a tough draw and I just came up short. I hope he goes on to win it now."
