Incredibly Ali Carter is back again. He has made it through to the final of the Welsh Open, ready to defend his title. Carter beat Stephen Maguire, who managed to fail again with a prize in sight. Carter raced out to a storming 3-0 lead, to which Scot Maguire simply could not reel in. Although he comfortably saw off a mini-comeback by Maguire, Carter will need to get up to another gear to beat finalist John Higgins, who in turn beat Ronnie O’Sullivan. It looks as if Carter will need to get himself out in front in the final, as he seems to relish being ahead, garnering confidence from leading the way. But he is looking good to retain his title, it has to be said. Whether it is the Welsh Open which brings out the best in him, but it remains his only ranking title.
O’Sullivan looked fairly comfortable and in control during the early exchanges of their semi final match, but seemed to run out of steam when it mattered most. O’Sullivan has been in blistering form, appearing to be ready to make amends for his loss to Mark Selby in the Masters Final. Unfortunately he couldn’t get to the finish line, letting John Higgins stroll across. It didn’t seem a case of Higgins being better or beating O’Sullivan, it was more a case of O’Sullivan shooting himself in the foot through lack of concentration. Not that the manner of the 6-4 victory will bother Higgins too much, as now he will be much fancied to lift the Totesport Welsh Open Title. While Higgins isn’t the dominant force he was in his heyday, he is still a force to be reckoned with. Carter simply needs to be brave and not get bogged down in a tactical safety game to put the pressure on the Scot.
Totesport Welsh Open Snooker Final
John Higgins to win: 5/6 at Coral
Ali Carter to win: 11/4 at Coral
