Ronnie O'Sullivan on track for Ali Carter grudge match just weeks after explosive snooker bust-up

Ronnie O'Sullivan on track for Ali Carter grudge match just weeks after explosive snooker bust-up

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 22/02/2024

- 08:16

Ronnie O'Sullivan could face off against Ali Carter for the first time since their angry clash at the Masters.

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter are on track for a repeat of the testy Masters final at this week's Players Championship after the latter made it through to the semi-finals.

Carter faced a tough draw in the first quarter-final against top seed Judd Trump, but came through a tense 10th frame to win 6-4.


The world No 8 will now face either Mark Allen or Gary Wilson in the semi-final.

On the other side of the draw, O'Sullivan goes up against Mark Selby for a place in the other semi-final.

Selby defeated Barry Hawkins in his tournament opener 6-3 to set up a match against O'Sullivan.

Ali Carter and Ronnie O'Sullivan have clashed a few times

Ali Carter and Ronnie O'Sullivan have clashed a few times

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He said: "I cherish every game I play against Ronnie so I'm really looking forward to that.

"The winner of the quarter-final between O'Sullivan and Selby will face either John Higgins or Zhang Anda.

If O'Sullivan wins his next two matches and Carter wins his semi-final then it will be the first time the two rivals will face each other since their explosive bust-up at the Masters.

Carter looked set to win his first Triple Crown title of his career after going 6-3 up, but O'Sullivan rallied back to claim his eighth Masters crown.

But the two rivals, who famously fell out at the 2018 World Championship after arguing and bumping into each other at the table, were embroiled in an explosive row after the match last month.

Carter accused O'Sullivan of "snotting all over the floor" and hit out at his behaviour throughout the match.

"There were a couple of things that happened out there that go unnoticed," Carter said.

"Well, they don't go unnoticed but anyone with an eyesight or a brain can see what's going on. And it's disgusting quite frankly.

"No one wants to say anything, do they? Snotting all over the floor and all that."

Ronnie O'Sullivan hit back at Ali Carter in his press conference

Ronnie O'Sullivan hit back at Ali Carter in his press conference

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O'Sullivan was furious when he was made aware of Carter's comments during his post-final press conference and launched a stunning attack on the 44-year-old.

"He can sit on it as far as I'm concerned," he said. "I don't give a f***. You know what he's like, everybody knows what he's like. He's got issues.

"F******* why has he got issues with me? I'm not having it. I don't care, grow some balls. I don't give a f***. The more he brings it on, the more I f****** punish him every time.

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Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter could face each other again

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter could face each other again

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"Absolutely. He's just digging a grave for himself. He needs to sort his f****** life out.

"That's it, I've said my piece. I'm not going to skirt around it anymore, tip-toeing on egg shells around someone like that.

"Playing snooker against someone like that is a nightmare. He's not a nice person. It's not a nice vibe he leaves around the table. I've said my piece and you're going to write what you're going to write. I don't give a s***. I've said it now, done."

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