Rotherham’s Ashley Carty has nothing to lose as he pockets his biggest pay day

Ashley Carty cues off in the Championship League semi-finals today guaranteed the biggest pay day of his rookie career.
Rotherham's Ashley Carty.Rotherham's Ashley Carty.
Rotherham's Ashley Carty.

The Rotherham potter only turned professional in 2018, but the 24-year-old emerged as a surprise group winner in Milton Keynes on Sunday.

He beat two former world champions, in Neil Robertson and Ken Doherty, on his way to topping the four-man group and qualify for today’s semi-final stage.

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The world No 83 has already banked £5,500, even if he fails to win any of today’s three games against fellow group winners Luca Brecel, Gary Wilson and Mark Joyce.

That may be small change, a day’s wages for a Premier League footballer, but for Carty – whose last earnings came four months ago, before the coronavirus-enforced lockdown – every pound is valuable.

“It’s not a bad reward, I have had worse days,” said Carty, who only moved into his new home with girlfriend Chloe last month. “My last pay day was in February at the Shoot0ut.

“It’s been a tough few months, so to finally get a nice pay day really takes the pressure off.

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“It’s definitely up there in my top three moments as a snooker player. Getting on the Tour was my main one, but it was my biggest pay day so far.

“I don’t mind being the underdog, it means there is no pressure on me.

“I would just like to try and test myself against top players.

“Every player on the Tour is tough, but this stage will be tough as they deserve to be there, having won their groups.”

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Carty’s main focus in a season disrupted by Covid-19 is next month’s World Championship qualifiers, as he chases a coveted place at the Crucible.

Playing – and winning high-profile games – in front of the ITV cameras this week, is valuable experience.

“There’s no pressure on me at this tournament, just getting ready for the World Championships and hopefully have a good run,” said Carty, who once again had to undergo Covid-19 testing yesterday before being quarantined at the on-site hotel last night.

“I only went for a bit of practice really, and got off to a great start against Neil Robertson,” said Carty, whose last tournament before the Championship League was the Gibraltar Open in March where he lost in the first round.

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“That gave me a good chance, and allowed me to build on that win.

“I didn’t play outstanding, but held my nerve quite well in certain breaks, and cleared up twice against Neil, when there was a lot of pressure.

“There was a lot of pressure out there, I didn’t expect to feel as much pressure as I did.

“Everyone said I looked calm and collected, so I am pleased about that, because I have worked hard to try and handle myself in pressure situations. My phone has been going crazy, since I beat Robertson. I tried to put my phone to one side on Sunday and concentrated fully on my games. Not get distracted,” he added.

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“I am just thankful to everyone who has supported me, it really does mean a lot.”

In yesterday’s first semi-final group, Ronnie O’Sullivan was eliminated after defeat to fellow former world champion Stuart Bingham.

O’Sullivan saw off Harvey Chandler and Sam Craigie with minimum fuss in the group winners’ stage of the competition but was out-of-sorts against Bingham.

He needed only one frame against the 2015 world champion but, instead, O’Sullivan crashed to a 3-0 defeat, meaning Bingham advanced to Thursday’s final group.

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