Fu sends O’Sullivan packing
The Londoner, who amassed a maximum 147 in the seventh frame of his match with Marco Fu, lost 10-6 to the Hong Kong player.
O'Sullivan, who started the session 6-3 behind, fell further behind and at 9-4 was on the brink. He raised hopes of an unlikely revival by taking the next two frames but lost the 16th and bowed out.
Title favourite O'Sullivan gave credit to Fu a player who previously had not won a match at the Crucible in three attempts, but who deserved to take his place against Scotsman Alan McManus in the second round.
The 2001 champion had no complaints as his hopes of regaining the trophy were extinguished.
"Credit to Marco, he stuck to his guns," admitted the 27-year-old Essex professional who became the latest player to make a maximum break but ended up losing the match.
"He was stronger over the two days. They are all good players out there and when you are not firing on all cylinders your opponents will take advantage.
O'Sullivan is not out of pocket for his brief stay in Sheffield. He stands to collect £169,000 for his maximum break plus an additional £15,000 as a first round loser.
Fu, who beat O'Sullivan on his way to the 1998 Grand Prix final, refused to be carried away by his upset win.
However, he did describe it as one of the best victories of his professional career.
"I've beaten Ronnie before over the best-of-nine frames but this is different.
Paul Hunter's outstanding performance in gaining an 8-1 lead over O'Sullivan's fellow Essex professional was overshadowed because of the drama on the adjoining table.
But while O'Sullivan was going out, Leeds-based Hunter, the only Yorkshireman in the field, was putting down an early marker as to his world title credentials.
Victory should be a formality for the British Open champion who has only ever won one match in four years at The Crucible.
He requires just two of the remaining 10 frames to earn a meeting with Wheels in Motion stablemate Matthew Stevens.
And it is turning into a Crucible debut to forget for the world number 31 from Tiptree.
Carter has a great record againstthe top players and has beatenStephen Hendry three times in four meetings.
However, world number nine Hunter was not for slaying and he produced breaks of 81, 50, 57, 48, 68, 128 and 71 to lead 8-0.
Carter was heading for only the second-ever world championship whitewash following John Parrott's 10-0 victory over Eddie Charlton until he took the final frame of the session.
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