Ali Carter is 'relishing the challenge' to face Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals of the Tour Championship today.
The snooker rivals made headlines earlier this year for their explosive row at Alexandra Palace in the final of the Masters.
O'Sullivan saw off the challenge of Carter 10-7 to win another Triple Crown title, but the match was overshadowed by a war of words afterwards.
Carter accused O'Sullivan of 'snotting all over the floor' with the seven-time world champion responding with an astonishing rant.
Ali Carter is relishing the challenge of facing Ronnie O'Sullivan
ITV
There has been bad blood between the two for several years dating back to the 2018 World Championships when they brushed shoulders at the table.
Their match today is the first time they will meet since their clash in the final of the Masters.
But Carter doesn't appear to hold any grudge towards O'Sullivan and praised him as the greatest snooker player of all time.
"I relish the challenge now because he's the best player to pick up a cue," Carter said on ITV.
"To play him in another quarter-final - I've played him in a final this year - I'm in the right place.
"It's a great practice match for the World Championships."
He added: "Coming here, all I wanted to do was get as many best-of-19s in the bank as I can.
"What better match than to play the greatest player of all time?
Ali Carter paid Ronnie O'Sullivan a compliment on ITV
ITV
"I'm under no pressure, only the pressure I put on myself to perform.
"But I've put the work in, my preparations are good. We'll see what happens."
Carter made it through to the quarter-finals of the Tour Championship with a 10-8 win over Barry Hawkins.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter clashed at the Masters
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It looked set to be a straightforward victory for Carter after holding a 7-1 lead at the interval.
But Hawkins battled back in the evening session to threaten an almighty comeback.
A fluked red then got Carter going in the 18th frame before sealing a dramatic victory.
