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Carter takes Welsh Open after seven-frame fightback
ENGLAND'S Ali Carter produced a brilliant fightback last night to win his first ranking title in the Welsh Open.
Carter trailed Northern Ireland's Joe Swail 5-2 in the afternoon session but won the next seven frames in a row to secure a 9-5 victory in Newport.
During one five-frame stretch Carter outscored Swail 476-17, clearly benefiting hugely from the interval between sessions.
"I learnt a lot from getting to the World Championship final last year but it was a really tough match," Carter said. "Joe made it really difficult in the first session, and I was pleased to come out and play well in the second session.
"At 5-2 down I just wanted to get out of the session and come back tonight. I've been playing well for a while, it was just a mater of staying patient.
"I'm so pleased I've achieved my dream of winning an event.
"They say once you get the first one there are many more to come and I hope there are."
Swail, appearing in the first ranking final of his 18-year career, said: "It means a lot to reach the final.
"I was 5-2 up but let it go a wee bit, but fair play to Ali, he played brilliantly and there was not a lot I could do.
"It's a nice feeling to actually get to a final but it's disappointing and frustrating to go all the way and lose."
The early stages were littered with mistakes, Carter going 2-1 ahead with a 41 clearance after Swail missed a simple pink when looking set to take the frame.
Swail hit back with a break of 60 to make it 2-2 but soon had his head in his hands after missing another pot while on the verge of restoring his lead.
This time it did not prove costly however, Carter missing a tricky red while stretching over the blue to allow Swail back in.
Swail won a scrappy sixth frame as well and it was Carter's turn to look distressed in his chair as he fell 5-2 behind.
The world championship runner-up regained his composure with a break of 54 to cut the gap to 5-3 and give himself a fighting chance in the best-of-17 clash.
Carter got off to a flying start in the evening session, compiling a break of 116 after Swail had gone in-off after fluking a red into the middle pocket.
The Essex professional then compiled breaks of 32 and 109 to level at 5-5 and further runs of 61, 91 and 67 put him 8-5 ahead.
Swail looked like keeping the match alive but broke down after a break of 45 and Carter compiled a 39 clearance to seal victory.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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