World Championship Semi-Finals

Ali Carter booked his place in the final against Ronnie
O'Sullivan (Picture the Guardian)

Ali Carter booked a deserved place in the final of the World Championship final by defeating Stephen Maguire 17-12. Ali, working alongside 2006 World Champion Peter Ebdon, set out on the defensive from the start, not wanting to give his Scottish opponent any easy chances. And at start, the plan seemed to be working with The Captain taking a 5-3 advantage after the first session. Maguire fought back to 5-5 in the second session but Ali took four on the bounce to go 9-5 up before the final two frames were shared as Carter went into the third session 10-6 ahead. The next eight frames were also shared meaning Carter was 14-10 ahead going into the final session. Carter went six frames ahead after winning the first two frames however Maguire worked a late flourish to push the score back to 16-12. However Carter finished off the job to book his place in the final for the second time after previously finishing runner-up to Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2008.

And O’Sullivan will be his opponent four years later after he beat Matthew Stevens 17-10. Ronnie led 5-3 after the first session on Thursday and The Rocket extended his advantage by winning the next session 6-2 to go 11-5 ahead of the Welshman. Breaks of 110 and 113 were the highlight from Ronnie in the second session but Stevens ensured the match would be taken to the final session by winning four of the frames in the third session to trail 15-9. A fantastic break of 116 from Stevens made it 15-10 but Ronnie won the next two to set up the re-match against fellow Essex man, Carter.