Ali Carter gained a sliver of revenge on Robert Milkins after winning their Players Championship quarter-final tie on Wednesday.
Carter dominated the fixture and ran out a comprehensive 6-1 victor to reach the last four at the Alderlsey Arena in Wolverhampton.
The positive result comes just a few days after Milkins triumphed at the Welsh Open, a success that meant he snatched the BetVictor Series bonus of ยฃ150,000 from Carter at the last possible opportunity.
“I try not to look at it like that,” a magnanimous Ali Carter told the World Snooker Tour after making breaks of 98, 75, 66, and 65.
“He didn’t pinch it off me, he won it. He won the tournament so thoroughly deserved the bonus.”
“That’s in the past now. There’s no point in worrying about the past, let’s concentrate on the now.
“It wasn’t the easiest of weekends. It’s a difficult situation, because I don’t like funking for players to get beat.
“Obviously I wanted to win the money, of course I did and anyone would have done in my position.
“But I like Rob, and I didn’t want to funk for him to lose. He won so good on him.”
Carter, who also beat Milkins en route to capturing the German Masters title earlier this month, is happy with his present form.
“I played great stuff tonight – really solid. My safety, I couldn’t fault it. You know, he played some great safety as well, let’s not forget that.”
“But when I got my chances I took them, and I can probably only count on one hand how many mistakes I made.
“The confidence is really high, just one match at a time. Four matches to win this tournament, I’ve got two under my belt.
“It’s gonna be a good tough match on Friday night. I’m going to go home for a couple of days and I’m really looking forward to coming back.
“It’s massive, because the way the tour is structured, it rewards winners. It doesn’t reward consistency.
“You have to win tournaments to open the doors for other tournaments like this.
“I won (the German Masters) that put me in this, it’ll put me in the Tour Championship, the Champion of Champions.
“It puts me in the World Championship as a seed, so the doors that open for you after winning a tournament are massive. You have to cash in on that.”
The Captain will face either Luca Brecel or Joe O’Connor in the first Players Championship semi-final on Friday evening.
Before that, the remaining three quarter-final ties need to take place with Brecel and O’Connor up first, followed by the matches between Shaun Murphy and Ryan Day, and Kyren Wilson and Gary Wilson.
Featured photo credit: WST
Carter’s use of the word funk is a little odd!
Yeah, I had to relisten several times. I’m not even 100% that’s the word he used. Sounds like it though.
Is Ronnie O`sullivan not playing this year?
No, he failed to qualify as despite winning two big titles he’s underperformed in ranking events. Yet to go beyond the quarter finals.
The Classic is only allowing fans in on the last day. I find that odd for a full ranking event. It also seems coverage will only be available online.