Ali Carter of England captured the English Open title with a commanding 9-6 victory over Mark Williams, playing in front of his home crowd in Brentwood. The 47-year-old from Essex delivered a dominant performance in the evening session, winning all but one frame and securing the final frame without conceding a point to claim the £100,000 prize.
Neither competitor had previously won the English Open. Williams, representing Wales, established control early and held a 5-3 advantage at the interval. The momentum shifted decisively after the break when Carter won the opening two frames of the resumption to level the match, and he maintained his advantage from that point forward without trailing again.
Speaking to TNT Sports after his victory, Carter reflected on his aggressive approach throughout the match.
I thought, 'I am going for this'. I didn't care where the balls were today; I wasn't going to lose this by turning down balls,he explained.
I kept potting the big shots and knocking all the difficult balls in. I am delighted.
Overcoming significant health challenges
Carter's triumph carries particular significance given his medical history. The player has lived with Crohn's disease and has twice battled cancer, receiving an all-clear diagnosis in 2014 following treatment for a cancerous tumour on his lung. Reflecting on his journey, Carter stated:
I have been to hell and back.
He acknowledged that his personality and approach may not appeal to everyone, but emphasised his authenticity.
I know I am not everyone's cup of tea, but what you see is what you get,he said.
Career milestone and ranking advancement
This victory represents Carter's seventh ranking title overall and his first since 2024. The win has a significant impact on his professional standing, propelling him back into the world's top 16 rankings. He climbed nine places from his previous position of 25th in the rankings.
Carter expressed satisfaction with achieving this milestone at his current age and in his home region.
It is a great achievement to pick up another trophy at 47, especially in front of my home fans,he remarked.
