Mark Williams jokingly said Ali Carter had "done my head in" after losing the English Open final 9-6 in Essex. Carter pocketed the £100,000 prize and moved back into the world's top 16.
Williams faces China trip after defeat
The 51-year-old Welshman admitted that had he won the final, he would have skipped his scheduled qualifying match for the International Championship next week. Instead, he will now face world No. 111 Andrew Higginson in Nanjing, a tournament that starts at the end of October and offers a £175,000 winner's cheque.
Williams had led 5-3 after the afternoon session before his challenge faded in the evening. He told TNT Sports: "If I beat Ali tonight, I wasn't going. I got a qualifier Friday. I wasn't going! And so, now, he's done my head in, I've gotta go to China, and I've got the qualifier. Spew it."
Carter praised after victory
The three-time world champion praised Carter's ball-striking, comparing him to Shaun Murphy: "When you hit the ball like Ali, it's unbelievable. I've played two players now [Shaun] Murphy last game and him, and the cue action, it's like playing a Rolls-Royce and a Bentley. And then I'm coming behind like a Lancia Delta Integrale, trying to drive the cue action, you've got aim, and you've got to fight for it. I mean, fantastic ball strikers, and thoroughly deserved the win. He played much better tonight than me."
He added: "Yeah, I tried my best. I played OK in patches. I didn't play too well tonight, but, you know, I only put the pressure on me. I didn't handle it very well, but, you know, he deserved the win. It was a great game. I enjoyed it, tried my best. The crowds were unbelievable all week. You know, the conditions have been good. It's tough at times, but really good, and good luck to Ali."
Carter's seventh ranking title
Carter's win marked the seventh ranking title of his career, though only his third since 2016. The world No. 25, who will climb into the top 16, took six of the last seven frames. He said: "Yeah, it means everything, it's all about the win. It was such a great game today. Amongst all the potting, there was some great safety from both of us, and we were scrapping for every ball. Delighted to get the win over such a class act like Mark Williams. It means the world to be taking home the Steve Davis Trophy."
The 47-year-old added: "I was very pleased at how I finished off there. It's never easy to get over the line, especially not to win a tournament in front of such a great crowd, a great support. I've loved it, and, yeah, it's a special feeling. There's so much riding on today, the top 16, you know, the UK, the Masters, the Tour Champs, the Players Champs. The list is endless, but you just gotta try and keep yourself on the train track and not decide to go like this, like I've done in the past!"
Carter also reflected on the tension: "Of course there was [tension]. I just kept trying to keep still and get through the ball nice, and I was pleased with the way the last red I potted there to win it, really, to stun round - I hit it sweet as a nut. When you knock one like that in, you're trying to think that, right, this is all there for me to lose now. So, yeah, I'm delighted. I just can't believe it. I mean, it's just unbelievable. This game just does your head in. It really does. How I've come here and won it this week is a modern day miracle, but I'm going home with a trophy, and that's all that matters."
He noted his close call against Zao Yuelong: "I've had great support from my friends, family all week. You know, I was... This is the game. I was one ball away from losing against Zao Yuelong at 5-3. He's on 60 and missed a yellow there, and I've cleared up. Otherwise, I'm on the motorway, and, you know, look at Wu Yize winning the World Championship. If Mark Allen doesn't miss the black, he's never world champion. It's just the way the game is, and you've just got to keep sticking in there and keep fighting."
He quipped: "Mark keeps going on about his age, it was like a senior's final today, me and him, but we're still keeping these young bucks at bay, so yeah great to pick up another trophy."
Carter is next scheduled to play in Leicester the following Saturday, facing Anton Kazakov in an International Championship qualifier.
