Carter unstoppable as Maguire bows out

Defending champion Ali Carter reached the final of the Welsh Open with a 6-3 defeat of Stephen Maguire.

Carter, whose victory in this competition last season was his first ranking success, was too sharp for world number two Maguire.

It means the 30-year-old from Tiptree will meet the winner of tonight’s other semi-final between John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan in tomorrow’s showpiece.

A break of 72 helped Carter take the first frame – and a 95 doubled his advantage.

Maguire fell 3-0 behind before getting off the mark with a break of 86 – but runs of 48 and 49 enabled Carter to restore his three-frame advantage.

Maguire again reduced the deficit to two frames as contributions of 50 and 77 enabled him to win the sixth frame but Carter contolled the seventh.

The highlight of the eighth frame was Maguire needing 11 attempts before successfully negotiating a snooker and hitting the green ball – just two short of the world record.

However, the Scot hit back to take the frame 91-56 and keep the match alive.

The respite was brief though, with a break of 80 from Carter settling the ninth frame and the match.

Carter said afterwards: “It was a tough match – I never felt that comfortable out there so I’m delighted to get through.

“But looking at who I’ve got in the final I know I’m going to have to up my game a bit.

“I’m pleased with what I’m doing, I’m just trying to take the expectation off myself and look at one ball at a time and one frame at a time.”

The world number five added on BBC Wales: “With so few tournaments it’s hard to get any momentum going but I’ve turned my season round getting to the final here and I hope it keeps going.

“Last year’s gone – I don’t want to win just one tournament. I want to progress and win as many as all the other boys.”