Ali Carter won the seventh ranking title of his career when beating Mark Williams 9-6 in the final of the English Open in Brentwood.
Victory capped a remarkable turnaround for Carter who came into the tournament with very little form, and had to battle through a number of close matches on his way to the final.
Williams endured an even tougher route to Sunday's showpiece, and the Welsh veteran would've surely fancied his chances of lifting the trophy when carving out a 5-3 lead in the first session, winning the final two frames of the afternoon with some masterful tactical play.
However, Carter was the stronger man in the evening, racing out of the blocks to win three frames in rapid time, before Williams stopped the rot to level at 6-6.
But when Carter won the next frame, and then the one after despite Williams refusing to wave the white flag, it was he who had one hand on the trophy.
A fine break of 54 helped him finish the job, adding another major title to his CV and in the process carrying the 47-year-old back into the top 16.
JUST LOOK AT WHAT IT MEANS! 🏆
— WST (@WeAreWST) September 13, 2026
Ali Carter wins the #EnglishOpen in his own back yard!@betvictor pic.twitter.com/BOquMhUWc9
"It doesn't feel real at the moment. It hasn't really sunk in," Carter told World Snooker Tour.
"I've not won as many titles as someone like Mark Williams, but it is great. The boys know I can play, that is for sure.
"In all my ranking events I've never beat one of the all-time greats in the final, to do that today makes it extra special.
"Not being detrimental to the other players I've beat it has been lower ranked players than me. To play Mark Williams and win in front of my home crowd is a dream come true."
