SHANGHAI — Ali Carter staged another remarkable comeback to defeat Mark Selby 10-7 in a gripping semifinal at the Shanghai Masters, securing his place in Sunday's final.
Carter's Resilience Shines Again
The Englishman, known for his fighting spirit, trailed Selby 3-1 early in the match before winning five consecutive frames to take control. This marks Carter's third straight comeback victory in Shanghai, having previously overturned deficits against Judd Trump and John Higgins.
Selby's Missed Opportunities
Four-time world champion Selby had chances to extend his lead but missed crucial pots in frames five and six, allowing Carter to gain momentum. "I lost my rhythm after the interval," Selby admitted post-match. "Ali capitalized on every mistake."
Key Turning Points
The match pivoted on three critical moments:
- Frame 7: Carter's 78 clearance after Selby's safety error
- Frame 12: Selby's missed black off the spot at 58-0 up
- Frame 15: Carter's double on the final pink to go 9-6 ahead
Carter's Post-Match Reaction
"To beat someone of Mark's caliber gives me massive confidence," said Carter, who will face either Ronnie O'Sullivan or Neil Robertson in the final. "I've worked hard on the mental side of my game, and it's paying off."
Tournament Implications
This result propels Carter to:
- His first ranking final since the 2020 German Masters
- A potential rise to world No. 12 with victory
- $200,000 prize money if he claims the title
Statistical Breakdown
The numbers reveal Carter's dominance in key areas:
| Long pot success | 72% (Selby 58%) |
| Safety success | 83% (Selby 77%) |
| Century breaks | 3 (Selby 1) |
Looking Ahead to the Final
Carter will need to maintain his form against either O'Sullivan (who leads their head-to-head 14-3) or Robertson (tied 8-8). The 44-year-old acknowledged: "Whoever I play, I'll need to start better than today."
Recent Shanghai Masters Winners
Carter aims to become the first new champion since 2019:
- 2022: Ronnie O'Sullivan
- 2021: Not held (COVID)
- 2019: Ronnie O'Sullivan
Conclusion: A Career-Defining Opportunity
After overcoming testicular cancer in 2013 and Crohn's disease, Carter's latest triumph adds another chapter to his inspirational story. As he told World Snooker: "Every final at this stage of my career feels like a bonus. I'm playing with house money."
