Ronnie O'Sullivan makes feelings clear on Ali Carter feud with gesture at the Crucible

Ronnie O'Sullivan and rival Ali Carter appeared to have squashed during their . The pair are battling for a place in the competition's second round and ahead of their meeting, the Rocket offered a handshake, which was quickly accepted by his opponent.

There was a degree of anticipation surrounding how the pair would greet each other given the close proximity snooker stars operate within. Seated together ahead of the 2.30pm start, the camera cut away as O'Sullivan moved to join Carter.

But after the seven-time champion earned the right to break, he offered his hand to The Captain, before a small exchange of words as he checked his surroundings. It was a rare moment to see before the opening break, and perhaps all the more surprising given the words the duo have shared in recent years.

Commentator and ex-world champ Stephen Hendry said: "Yeah, one of the opening exchanges has already happened. They actually shook hands at the chair, not the normal fist bump that Ronnie gives.

"It was actually quite a warm handshake, and that's good to see. We want to see a classic match at the table, and it has all the ingredients of being so."

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O'Sullivan had, however, admitted he had some regret about what he had said about Carter in the past. The 49-year-old told the : "It was probably just heat of the moment stuff at the time.

"I’ve always said that I wished I wouldn’t have said what I said but I can’t take it back. It’s kind of out in the open. Neither of us really think much about it.”

After being training practice partners and friends earlier in their careers, more recent times have seen a fraught relationship. Carter .

Carter said: "There were a couple of things that happened out there that go unnoticed. Well, they don't go unnoticed but anyone with an eyesight or a brain can see what's going on. And it's disgusting quite frankly.

"No one wants to say anything, do they? Snotting all over the floor and all that. I mean it's outrageous behaviour from a top professional. If it gets swept under the carpet then for me, it's not good."

O'Sullivan did not hold back in his response, insisting: "He needs to sort his f***ing life out. I'm not going to skirt around it anymore, tip-toeing on eggshells around someone like that. He's a f***ing nightmare. Playing snooker against someone like that is a nightmare.

"He's not a nice person. It's not a nice vibe he leaves around the table. I've said my piece, I don't give a s***. I've said it now, done. You know what he's like, everybody knows what he's like. He's got issues.

"F***ing why has he got issues with me? I'm not having it. I don't care, grow some balls. I don't give a f***, I don't give a f*** about any of these snooker players, any of them. The more he brings it on, the more I f***ing punish him every time. He's just digging a grave for himself. I don't give a f***. That's it, I've said my piece."