World Championship 2017: Ali Carter blames 'nightmare' start for Graeme Dott loss

Ali Carter says a "nightmare" first session was the reason for just his third World Championship first-round exit of his career.

The world number 10 was beaten 10-7 by Graeme Dott - the first time Carter has failed to make the last 16 since 2006.

Two-time finalist Carter told BBC Sport: "I lost it in the first session.

"Graeme is a tough opponent. It was a bit like watching Alex Higgins play - you think he's going to miss at any moment but he keeps knocking them in."

• Tournament schedule

• BBC coverage times

Carter, whose 15 Crucible appearances have come consecutively since he first qualified in 2003, trailed 4-0 after a disastrous start.

But he battled back to 6-3 and then 8-7, before the 2006 champion closed out victory.

Essex potter Carter scored two fine century breaks and three 50s as he looked in fine form.

Carter added: "It's hard to play against him because he is good at winning all the scrappy frames.

"By the breaks I looked the better player but it wasn't meant to be. I was just fractions out all of the time from being perfect.

"The first four frames summed it up - I had a complete nightmare. I should have won at least three of them and the score ends up 10-7 to me.

"I just didn't make the most of my chances and that came back to haunt me."

Sign up to My Sport to follow snooker news and reports on the BBC app.