Ali Carter earned his place in the semi-finals of the MrQ Masters, after sending defending champion Judd Trump packing by winning a thrilling encounter 6-5.
Carter had looked destined for the exit himself when Trump had a chance at match ball at 5-4 ahead, he missed it and the Captain overhauled his opponent to score the sensational win.
Victory sets up a semi-final showdown with either three-time Masters winner Mark Selby or 2018 winner Mark Allen, who contest this evening’s last quarter-final.
World number ten Carter is gunning for his maiden Triple Crown title this weekend. He is a two-time Crucible finalist and made the title match here at the Masters in 2020, having been initially handed a place in the event due to Ronnie O’Sullivan’s withdrawal. In the end he was pipped by fellow Essex cueman Stuart Bingham 10-8.
Defeat ends Trump’s reign as champion. The Ace in the Pack lifted the Paul Hunter Trophy at Alexandra Palace 12 months ago after defeating Mark Williams 10-8 in the final. There will be no repeat in North London this year.
Carter took an early 2-1 lead as breaks of 85 and 103 sandwiched a run of 80 from Trump. Frame four came down to the colours and Trump converted an excellent long pot on the yellow, setting up a clearance for 2-2.
After the interval, Carter regained the lead with a break of 71. In frame six, Trump trailed by 21 points when he missed a tricky pot on the final brown and his opponent capitalised for 4-2. Trump replied with a run of 129, then enjoyed a huge slice of fortune in frame eight as his attempted long pot on the final green missed its target, but he left Carter in a tough snooker behind the brown. That proved crucial as Trump later cleared for 4-4.
Carter attempted a risky red to a top corner when he trailed 8-30 and Trump punished him with 48 to go ahead for the first time. In frame ten, Trump was on the verge of victory, leading by 35 points when he over-cut an awkward pot on the penultimate red to a top corner. Carter fashioned an excellent clearance and pumped his fist as the scoreboard ticked to 5-5.
The final frame saw Carter crack in a red from long range and make a nerveless 64 to wrap up a famous victory
“It was a massive clearance in terms of where I was at in the match. To force a decider was really special,” said 44-year-old Carter.
“I I felt like I let my composure slip to go 5-4 behind. I couldn’t get my head together after that silly thing that happened with the green ball. To make the clearance (to go 5-5) was absolutely brilliant.
“To play Judd on a stage like that is a special win for me. I just want to get home and try to unwind, chill out then come back and do it all again tomorrow.
“Enjoying it and savouring the moment is all part of it. You don’t find yourself in the semi-final of a Triple Crown event every day. This is arguably over the World Championship for me with how big of an event it is. To be here come Saturday is really exciting. Hopefully I can convert and be here on Sunday.”
Trump said: "He played well throughout the game. I struggled. He should never have had that chance. It was terrible from me. I had two perfect chances to win the game and I am dissapointed, but I didn't play well so I didn't deserve to win."