Carter unstoppable in Ebdon whitewash

Carter was in irresistible form, potting with great confidence and accuracy and giving Ebdon very few opportunities in an unexpectedly one-sided first-round match.

Ebdon proved a stern competitor as ever in relatively few safety exchanges, but Carter cashed in terminally each time an opening came his way.

He showed his intent with a 130 total clearance in the first frame - and soon doubled his lead on the back of a 57 break and then a long 'pressure' pink to clinch the second, after Ebdon had let him in again.

The Essex man took a scrappy third 53-21, before shutting Ebdon out with a 67 break which made it 4-0.

Former world champion Ebdon had to take significant benefit from the mid-session interval. But after he missed a tough opening red to the middle pocket from tight on the baulk cushion, Carter stepped in with his second century of the match to leave Ebdon needing to win six successive frames.

By then, though, his potting had completely deserted him - and he was put out of his misery as Carter completed his 6-0 romp with a break of 64.

Earlier, Neil Robertson had to dig deep to see off six-time Masters winner Stephen Hendry 6-4 on his way to a quarter-final against Stephen Maguire.

Robertson led four times in a topsy-turvy match but could not get away from the veteran Scot until he took the final three frames to wrap up a hard-fought victory.