Ali Carter has withdrawn from the Northern Ireland Open due to personal reasons.

The two-time World Snooker Championship finalist had been set to face Zhou Yuelong on Thursday night.

However, their last 16 encounter has now been cancelled a matter of hours before its scheduled 8pm start time.

Instead, Zhou has been handed a walkover victory following Carter's withdrawal from the tournament.

His decision to pull out of the event was announced in a statement from the World Snooker Tour.

The statement read: "Ali Carter has pulled out of the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open for personal reasons.

"Carter was due to meet Zhou Yuelong in the last 16 on Thursday evening. Zhou will receive a bye to the quarter-finals.

"The tournament in Belfast runs until Sunday."

'The Captain' has yet to co

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