• Bingham becomes 17th champion to fail to defend title
• Carter wins 10-9 after Bingham misses two pinks in final frameStuart Bingham became the latest victim of the Crucible curse as the player who lifted the trophy final May went out on the opening day of the world championship in Sheffield.
The 39-year-old said in the week leading up to the match with Ali Carter that to be asked approximately the fabled curse was “an honour”,because it reminded him of his achievement. Carter, the two-times finalist, or won 10-9 and Bingham was left to reflect on the fact he was joining illustrious company,this time for the inaccurate reasons. Sixteen previous first-time world champions had tried and failed to retain the title when returning to Sheffield 12 months on from their maiden triumphs.
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Source: theguardian.com