Joe O'Connor is just one win away from landing his first ranking title as he continued his tremendous form at the Weide Cup World Open by beating Ali Carter 6-3 in the semi-finals.
Playing the best snooker of his life, O'Connor has knocked out five players this week including Judd Trump, Shaun Murphy and Carter, conceding just ten frames. The 29-year-old from Leicester has made four centuries and 18 more breaks over 50, finally showing his potential after a relatively quiet season in which he had previously made just one quarter-final appearance.
On Saturday, world number 39 O'Connor will face the biggest match of his seven-year career when he takes on four-time World Champion John Higgins over a possible 19 frames for the trophy. Already guaranteed a biggest ever pay-day of £75,000, that figure would jump to £175,000 for O'Connor if he can get to ten frames first.
He will be aiming to win a maiden professional title, and playing in his second ranking final, having lost the first 9-2 against Gary Wilson at the 2022 Scottish Open. "Joe has hit the ball better than anyone this week," admitted Higgins after his semi-final, and the all-time legend knows he will have a battle on his hands for the silverware despite his vast advantage in experience.
Victory would bring significant spin-offs for O'Connor as he would jump into the top 16 of the Johnstone's Paint One-Year rankings and earn a place in next month's Sportsbet.io Players Championship, as well as moving into contention for a top 16 Crucible seeding and earning a spot at next season's Sportsbet.io Champion of Champions.
Breaks of 62, 68 and 75 helped him build a 4-1 lead today. Carter pulled one back with a 96 before O'Connor's run of 73 made it 5-2. World number 14 Carter, who had hoped to win a seventh ranking title, won frame eight with a break of 71 and had an early chance in the ninth, but made just 11 before missing a mid-range red.
O'Connor, seemingly unaffected by the pressure of the situation, made 31 before running out of position and playing safe. Carter went for a do-or-die long red and hit the jaws of a top corner, handing his opponent the chance to wrap up the result with a run of 45.
"It was another solid performance, Ali wasn't at his best but I took my chances when I got them," said O'Connor. "I feel I'm a more complete player than I was when I last reached a final in 2022, I am more consistent and my scoring has definitely improved. Hopefully that can continue and who knows what will happen tomorrow. I'd say 99.9% of the time I don't feel nerves, I try to just focus on the next shot and that doesn't leave room for nerves to creep in."
Just before travelling to China, O'Connor posted on social media paying tribute to his grandfather who sadly passed away recently. Asked if he was thinking about his grandfather this week, he added: "I have had little moments. The little rubs of the green I am getting might be him up there moving the balls for me and making sure I can go on and win this. That's what I want to do, it would be for him."