Ali Carter Stuns O’Sullivan in Berlin, But Ronnie’s Silent Snub Sparks Fury
Ali Carter achieved a rare and hard-fought victory over his long-time Essex rival Ronnie O’Sullivan at the 2026 German Masters in Berlin, defeating the seven-time world champion 5–3 in the last 32. This win marked just the second time in his career that Carter had triumphed over O’Sullivan, who still leads their head-to-head record 20–2. Their last encounter at the Crucible in 2018 had been a heated one, but Carter’s latest victory was a more composed affair, proving the depth of his skill and determination.
In the aftermath, Carter was quick to play down any suggestion of lingering tension between the two, instead focusing on the longstanding respect he has for O’Sullivan. He praised O’Sullivan as “the best snooker player of all time,” acknowledging that playing against him is always a special challenge. He went on to say that any win over such a legend is a memory to cherish.
On the table, Carter seized the early initiative, storming to a 3–0 lead with impressive breaks of 128 and 68. O’Sullivan, however, was not about to go down without a fight. He fought back strongly, leveling the match at 3–3, with a sublime 93 break. But Carter, keeping his composure, edged out the final two frames to seal the victory.
Despite the defeat, O’Sullivan’s reaction after the match stirred controversy. He refused to offer Carter any congratulations, drawing criticism from pundits and fans alike who deemed the act unsportsmanlike. However, O’Sullivan’s sights are set firmly on the future. Despite being 50 years old, he remains hungry for more glory and is determined to break his tie with Stephen Hendry by winning an unprecedented 8th World Championship. O’Sullivan has acknowledged that he has “three or four genuine attempts” left to achieve this goal, indicating a fierce resolve to make history before age catches up with him.
Beyond snooker, O’Sullivan’s ambitions stretch further. At 50, he is already planning his next big challenge: running the London Marathon when he turns 70. Bold and determined, O’Sullivan continues to push the boundaries, both in sport and in life.
