A WORLD OF PAIN FOR ALI

ALI CARTER faces a race against time to be fit for his Ronnie O'Sullivan grudge match at this year's World Championship.

- By Shane MacDermott

The clash was the highlight of yesterday's Crucible draw, with the Essex pair set to resume their bitter feud on the game's grandest stage.

Qualifier Carter, who has twice lost in world finals to the seven-time champion, has been a pain in the Rocket's backside over the years.

But now the world No.18 has a pain in the neck and has headed home for emergency treatment over the Easter weekend before returning to face O'Sullivan, right, on Tuesday.