Ali Carter picked up a rare win over Ronnie O’Sullivan at the German Masters on Wednesday, but felt the Rocket was struggling to enjoy the battle amid a poor run of form.
The Captain booked a spot in the last 16 with a 5-3 victory, which looked like it was going to be a lot more comfortable when he powered into a 3-0 lead.
Carter then faltered as O’Sullivan scrapped back to 3-3, but the 46-year-old regained his composure to win the final two and get over the line.
The seven-time world champion was a long way from his stunning best and was clearly uncomfortable with his game, slumping on the table after missing straightforward shots.
The Rocket has been struggling for form for some time now and while he has claimed to be enjoying the game as much as ever, Carter did not see much enjoyment during their contest.
‘It didn’t look like he was enjoying it too much out there today,’ Carter told WST.
‘It didn’t look like he enjoyed it out there. If that’s the case then he’s obviously in a position where he doesn’t need to come to these events.
‘It’s great for the fans to see him, but it wasn’t enjoyable in the end to see him not really enjoy it. The heat of the battle is what we all play for but I suppose he’s in a different stage of his career right now.’
The Captain has a terrible record against the Rocket, with this just his second victory over him outside of the short-format Championship League.
‘I’ve lost a load of close ones over the years,’ he said. ‘I’ve lost every way possible. I’ve got slaughtered, lost close, the one win I did get over him was in the World Championship!
‘I was delighted to be 3-0 up really. Then I thought I’d let the match slip. I said to myself I’m going for everything now and potted some really good long balls.
‘It was a grind in the end but glad to get over the line and get the job done.’
The pair have had some notable run-ins in the past, including during that 2018 World Championship victory for Carter, and in their ill-tempered Masters final in 2024.
However, Carter says that is all in the past now and things are fine between the two Essex cueists.
‘Me and Ronnie have known each other a long time. He’s a character isn’t he?’ Carter said. ‘We’re fine now, there’s no animosity at all, it’s all heat of the moment stuff. We’re both sportsmen and he’s the best snooker player of all time.
‘So to even be on the table with him, competing with him and playing with him and getting the odd win here and there is a feather in me cap.’
O’Sullivan is still searching for his first ranking title since January 2024 and has now won just one match in his last three tournaments after back-to-back first round defeats before his one win in Germany.
Two of Carter’s six ranking titles have come at the German Masters and he is now looking to make it a third Berlin success this week after downing O’Sullivan.
‘I’ve got great memories here. I love the tournament, love the event, it’s a great place, Berlin,’ he said. ‘Got a lot of special memories here, hopefully I can draw on that coming into the back end of the week and get a few more wins under my belt.’
Carter takes on Xu Si in the last 16 after the Chinese star edged out Mark Selby 5-4 on Wednesday night.
