Rotherham rookie Ashley Carty beats two former world champions to progress in Championship League

Rotherham rookie Ashley Carty stunned former world champions Neil Robertson and Ken Doherty to secure a semi-final spot in the Matchroom Live Championship League.
Rotherham's Ashley CartyRotherham's Ashley Carty
Rotherham's Ashley Carty

The 24-year-old – who only turned professional in 2018 – beat the 2010 world champion Robertson 3-1 in the behind-closed-doors televised event in Milton Keynes.

He then drew 2-2 with Kurt Maflin, before holding his nerve to clinch a 3-1 win over 1997 Crucible champion Doherty, to top the four-man group and earn a place in Wednesday's semi-final group stage.

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"I just came here this week for a bit of practice, leading up to the World Championship, and never really expected to win the group.

"But I have proved that I can hold my own against the top players."

Against Robinson, the world No 83 won the opening frame after the Australian was left snookered, conceding a barrage of penalty points.

But Robertson bounced back to level at 1-1, clearing the table with a 119 break.

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Robertson looked set to step up a gear, but a missed red, plus a poor safety on the yellow, handed Carty the chance to snatch the third frame, as he cleared up on the colours.

And it was the Yorkshireman who held his nerve in the final scrappy frame, to secure an opening 3-1 win.

Robertson said: “It would be very strange to play in this format for an actual [bigger] event, so that’s where the adjustment is going to take place.

“But playing in this I am perfectly happy to experiment and adjust to how we are going to be moving forward over the next couple of months.

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“Probably under normal circumstances one month into the season I would have won the first three frames pretty comfortably. There’s a little bit of rustiness but it’s just about getting used to the feeling of how it is.”

Next up Carty drew 2-2 with Kurt Maflin. The Rotherham potter twice edged in front, first thanks to a stunning long yellow, then an 87 break, but was unable to secure back-to-back wins.

Players are tested for Covid-19 the day before they play, then quarantined in the on-site hotel before their match. They then play three games on the same day, in a four-player group, before leaving the venue.

But Carty will be back on Wednesday, after beating Irishman Doherty 3-1 in a late-night finish. Earlier, Doherty had drawn 2-2 with Robertson, and beat Maflin 3-1.

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