Stuart Bingham maybe a former world champion but he upset the odds here by beating three-time world champ Mark Williams to get past the opening round of the Masters.

It was only the second time he'd reached that stage in his career and he's gone from strength to strength since then.

Wins over Kyren Wilson and Dave Gilbert have given him another shot at glory, which isn't bad considering he did not enter the top 32 in the world rankings until 2006-07 despite turning professional over a decade earlier in 1995.

Bingham was also the oldest first-time winner of the World Championship, at 38 when he beat Shaun Murphy in 2015.

Image source, Getty Images

Ahmed: I'm on Team Carter.

Anon: Calling it early. Ali Carter wins and thanks Ronnie O’Sullivan for not entering in his victory speech. Next year, the programme has Carter’s mug on the front page with ‘Welcome to Ali’s Palace’.

World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn is now up on the box talking about Snooker as a business.

"It's a journey of small steps," he says.

"We are not surrendering to complacency and saying haven't we done well in 10 years. Events like this show we are aspirational and that snooker is a truly global sport."

Music to our ears Stephen...

Best get some supplies in for a thrilling finale around midnight eh...?

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

Players that are in finals all the time don't miss the red that Ali Carter missed before. It might be one that goes right to the end.

Making the last mistake is going to be crucial. Both players could look at that session and think, 'I could be 3-1 ahead'.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

It's tough to be dominant.

When you talk about the really top names, they seem to have that air of dominance in the final stages of tournaments but maybe because these two are evenly balanced it could be a fight to the end.

But he gets it all wrong. Ali Carter is going to be going in at 2-2. A few more balls will do it.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

Stuart Bingham is going to need another good pot on the black with plenty of pace to get off two cushions to get in position.

Stuart Bingham will fancy this? Ali Carter leaves him a red right above the bottom left corner.

A nice easy starter to get going. What can he do here?

Ali Carter sinks seven reds and seven blacks. He's up to 56 but is that a kick on the last black or just a poor shot? Either way he runs out of position.

There's a polite round of applause as he heads back to his seat but that could have been so much better.

There's a grimace from Stuart Bingham, as he gets up after missing a very awkward red.

The sort of one you have to take on but wish you hadn't. He was stretching there and had his left leg up on the table.

The mid-session interval is approaching at the end of this frame. Can Stuart Bingham get in at 3-1?

Looks like he's got the first chance here.

Just a tad over 16 minutes a frame at the minute. It's been a fairly brisk affair so far.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

I don't think there'll be many one visit frame wins. I think we will see a few frames like that, where the last mistake wins it.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

I think they are in their comfort zone playing each other. If they were playing an O'Sullivan or a Trump they'd possibly be out of it, because then you are talking about the best players in the world.

Ali Carter's not in bad shape now with a 24 point lead but there are three reds left so this is far from done and dusted.

He then misses a rest shot he'd knock in 99 times out of a hundred and is given a long red to redeem himself. He's close but no cigar.

Stuart Bingham's got a decent chance to wrap this up.

Ali Carter leaves Stuart Bingham on the bottom knuckle but there's a straightish red to the middle on offer....

Needless to say he can't refuse that but then can't control his white which follows the red into the middle bag.

A tad scrappier this.

Back on the baize, Stuart Bingham ticks along nicely to 32 before leaving a red hanging over the left corner.

One or two shouts of 'C'mon captain' as Ali Carter jumps out of his seat. In go the red followed by a black but that's a tad careless.

Carter screws back into the back and leaves himself without another pot. Cue a rueful look.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Alexandra Palace

Both players were given a tremendous ovation earlier, the 2000-strong crowd have really enjoyed the glitz and glamour of the tournament this week.

The World Snooker Tour have jazzed up the event with corporate hospitality boxes, exclusive sofa seating and players making their way to the table from the top of the arena.

It really adds to the occasion and you can feel the prestige of a Triple Crown event.

First blood to Stuart Bingham in the third frame. The balls are running for him here, as per his nickname.