Ali Carter Reflects on Ronnie O'Sullivan's Challenges After Snooker Triumph
Ali Carter has spoken out about Ronnie O'Sullivan's current difficulties after securing a notable victory over the snooker legend at the German Masters. The Captain triumphed with a 5-3 win in Berlin on Wednesday, advancing to the last 16 of the tournament. This success marks only his second victory over O'Sullivan outside the short-format Championship League, highlighting the rarity of the achievement.
A Match of Fluctuating Fortunes
The encounter began strongly for Carter, who raced into a commanding 3-0 lead. However, O'Sullivan demonstrated his resilience by battling back to level the score at 3-3. Despite this comeback, Carter regained his composure to clinch the final two frames and secure the match. Observers noted that O'Sullivan, a seven-time world champion, was far from his best, appearing visibly frustrated and slumping on the table after missing straightforward shots.
Carter's Observations on O'Sullivan's Mindset
In post-match comments to World Snooker Tour, Carter expressed concern about O'Sullivan's apparent lack of enjoyment during the contest. 'It didn't look like he was enjoying it too much out there today,' Carter remarked. 'If that's the case then he's obviously in a position where he doesn't need to come to these events. It's great for the fans to see him, but it wasn't enjoyable in the end to see him not really enjoy it.'
Carter suggested that O'Sullivan might be at a different stage in his career, where the heat of battle may not hold the same appeal. 'The heat of the battle is what we all play for but I suppose he's in a different stage of his career right now,' he added.
Historical Context and Current Relations
The pair have a history of notable encounters, including Carter's victory over O'Sullivan at the 2018 World Championship and a tense Masters final in 2024. Despite past tensions, Carter emphasised that relations are now amicable. 'Me and Ronnie have known each other a long time. He's a character isn't he?' Carter said. 'We're fine now, there's no animosity at all, it's all heat of the moment stuff. He's the best snooker player of all time.'
Carter acknowledged the significance of competing with O'Sullivan, stating, 'So to even be on the table with him, competing with him and playing with him and getting the odd win here and there is a feather in me cap.'
O'Sullivan's Ongoing Form Struggles
O'Sullivan's performance in Berlin adds to a concerning trend in his recent results. He is still seeking his first ranking title since January 2024 and has now won just one match in his last three tournaments. This follows back-to-back first-round defeats prior to his single victory in Germany, underscoring a period of inconsistency for the snooker icon.
Carter's Ambitions and Next Steps
With two of his six ranking titles won at the German Masters, Carter is optimistic about adding a third Berlin success this week. 'I've got great memories here. I love the tournament, love the event, it's a great place, Berlin,' he said. 'Got a lot of special memories here, hopefully I can draw on that coming into the back end of the week and get a few more wins under my belt.'
Carter will face Xu Si in the last 16, after the Chinese player edged out Mark Selby 5-4 on Wednesday night. This sets up an intriguing clash as Carter aims to build on his momentum from defeating O'Sullivan.
