Ali Carter is looking to book his place in the main draw of this year’s World Championship where he will be hoping to renew his rivalry with Ronnie O’Sullivan.

World number 19 Carter, who is priced at 101.00 to go on and win the world title this year, beat Jimmy White 10-4 during the second round of qualifying on Monday and he will now face fellow Englishman John Astley for a place in the main draw at the Crucible.

The 39-year-old is aiming for a 17th consecutive appearance in the first round of the World Championship and he will fancy his chances against Astley, who is ranked 83 places below him in the world and has never previously made it through to the main draw in Sheffield.

Carter is a two-time beaten finalist at the Crucible, losing on both occasions to five-time winner O’Sullivan, although he did get his revenge on the Rocket last year, beating him 13-9 in the second round before bowing out to eventual winner Mark Williams in the quarter-finals.

The Captain is now hoping to lock horns with O’Sullivan once again this year, although he knows he cannot look too far ahead, as he first must negotiate his way past Astley.

“I hope I qualify and I’d love to draw him (O’Sullivan) in the first round,” Carter was quoted as saying by World Snooker.

“I thoroughly enjoyed playing him last year. He is the man now. He is winning anything he enters. I’d just turn up and give it my best shot again. But I can’t get ahead of myself. This next match is massive and I’d just be delighted to qualify.”