The 16 Seeds: Ali Carter

Continuing our series of Cazoo World Championship previews.
By Phil Yates

Seed 11: Ali Carter

CAREER OVERVIEW

Always pugnacious, a player who despises defeat, Ali Carter never lacks motivation, the rocket fuel that has guided him through a successful career despite repeated handicaps.

Two bouts of cancer and ongoing Crohn’s Disease have placed major adversity in Carter’s path but have failed to stop the trained pilot from flying high in the loftiest company.

Carter is a five-time ranking winner, a fine haul in the hugely competitive modern era,

Twice a champion in China, a double success story in Germany, including at the Tempodrom this February, he has constructed three 147s and possesses the scoring power and tactical savvy to prove a match for anyone.

THIS SEASON

Into his forties, Carter’s career had stalled until vintage snooker re-emerged with a vengeance this season. Hooking up with renowned coach Chris Henry has helped bring about a wholesale improvement in fortunes.

If consistency impresses, how does six ranking quarter-finals sound? Four of those have been converted into semi-finals and Carter performed with aplomb in reaching the Players Championship climax.

Yet, the crowning moment came in Berlin as Carter marked the tenth anniversary of his maiden triumph at the German Masters by lifting the silverware again.

CRUCIBLE  

Whatever else Carter has achieved nothing defines him more than the impact he has made at the Crucible.

His shoulder barge with Ronnie O’Sullivan gave the media a field day, his 147 en route to the final in 2008 was exciting and heart-warming in equal measure, given his health issues and battles waged to overcome them.

Yet, 2008 was not isolated excellence. Carter was also runner-up to O’Sullivan in 2012, in 2010 he appeared in the semi-finals and three other quarter-finals most recently in 2019, must not be ignored.

Certain players fit the Crucible like a glove, coming alive as soon as they step foot into the confines of the famous theatre. Carter is firmly among that group.

KEY STATS

Previous Crucible appearances: 18

Matches played: 42

Matches won: 24

Crucible centuries: 41

2023 PROSPECTS

Carter has constructed 31 centuries this season, more than double his total last season. The former world number two has regained top 16 status and captured his first ranking title for seven years.

Positives comprehensively outweigh any minor negatives, and his Crucible CV alone installs the Essex man as a potential thorn in anyone’s side.

PREDICTION

Rejuvenated and hungry to again go deep, Carter is not a player to oppose lightly. Working on seasonal form and the reliable horses for courses theory, Carter is a shrewd outside bet to reach the last four.

Bookmakers’ odds on Carter: 40/1