Comeback Carter Wins World Open Crown

Ali Carter has won his first ranking title in three years and returned to the elite Top 16 by putting in a gutsy performance to beat fellow Englishman Joe Perry 10-8 in the final of the World Open 2016 in Yushan, China.

Read on for the full report...

Essex's Allister "Ali" Carter was playing in his first major ranking final since being given an all-clear from lung cancer in 2014. Strong performances against former world champions Stuart Bingham and John Higgins in earlier rounds set him up again fellow former world finalist Joe Perry in today's final.

Perry got the better of Carter in early proceedings, making top breaks of 54, 56 and 78 to take a 3-2 lead. "Captain" Carter proceeded to stun Perry by producing runs of 80, 54, 91, 53, 61 and a brilliant 70 clearance in the 11th frame to take him to a dominant 8-3 lead in this best-of-19 final.

PTC Finals 2015 champion Perry hit back hard, taking the next close frame before making top breaks of 131, 106 and 92 to claw his way back to 9-8 behind Carter, but the two-time world finalist held off the assault and finished with a stylish 127 break to come through a 10-8 winner.

This momentous victory, his first ranking title since the 2013 German Masters, rewards Carter with £90,000 and propels him 15 places up in the rankings and back in to snooker's prestigious top 16 group. 

Carter, who also won the minor-ranking Paul Hunter Classic last year shortly after his return was thrilled with his victory. 

"I'm delighted - there was so much riding on today, winning a ranking event as well as my top-16 place," added Carter. 

"I have been focused all week and to come out the winner is very special. It has been a great tournament for me."

Carter will be back in Furth, Germany, next month for the Paul Hunter Classic where he'll be amongst the punter's top picks to defend his title and further cement his place back among snooker's best players. 

For all the results and scores from the World Open 2016, head to snooker.org.