Ali Carter moved back into the world’s top 16 after a 9-6 victory over Mark Williams to claim the English Open and the £100,000 winner’s prize at Brentwood.
Williams started stronger, reaching a 5-3 lead at the interval, but Carter overturned the deficit after the break by winning the first two frames to draw level. From there he seized control of the match, conceding only one frame in the evening session and finishing the final frame without reply to close out the win.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Carter said, "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 added, "I kept potting the big shots and knocking all the difficult balls in. I am delighted. This is very, very special."
Essex-born Carter, 47, collected the English Open as the seventh ranking title of his career and his first since 2024. The victory lifts him nine places from 25th in the world rankings and secures his return to the sport’s elite 16. Neither Carter nor Williams had previously won the English Open, making this the tournament's first champion from either finalist.
The win adds a ranking trophy on home soil to Carter’s record and hands Williams the runner-up finish. Carter’s career has included major health battles, including Crohn's disease and two fights with cancer, the most recent ending in an all-clear in 2014 after a cancerous tumour was found on his lung. Reflecting on that journey, he told reporters, "I have been to hell and back. I know I am not everyone's cup of tea, but what you see is what you get."
Carter leaves Brentwood with the title, the prize money and a top-16 ranking restored; Williams departs as runner-up after a strong run to the final.
