Ali Carter has addressed Ronnie O’Sullivan’s recent form after clinching a rare win over his rival at the German Masters. He secured his place in the last 16 after racing into a 3-0 lead and was able to weather a possible O’Sullivan comeback to record a 5-3 triumph on Wednesday.

It was a moment to savour for Carter, who claimed just his second victory over ‘The Rocket’ in 23 meetings, despite their long-running rivalry. However, seven-time world champion O’Sullivan appeared to be uneasy with his game. His last ranking title came at the Masters in January 2024 and the 50-year-old’s latest loss follows two first round exits at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship and UK Championship. Carter shares a well-documented history with O’Sullivan and gave his thoughts on his opponent’s performance in Berlin.

“It didn’t look like he was enjoying it too much out there today,” Carter said of O’Sullivan to the World Snooker Tour. “It didn’t look like he enjoyed it out there. If that’s the case then he’s obviously in a position where he doesn’t need to come to these events.

“It’s great for the fans to see him, but it wasn’t enjoyable in the end to see him not really enjoy it. The heat of the battle is what we all play for but I suppose he’s in a different stage of his career right now.”

Carter began practicing with O’Sullivan as a teenager but their dynamic changed over time.  There has been more than one bad-tempered match between the pair, notably clashing during Carter’s other victory in the 2018 World Championship. However, he insists their relationship has become much calmer in recent years.

“Me and Ronnie have known each other a long time. He’s a character isn’t he?” Carter said. “We’re fine now, there’s no animosity at all, it’s all heat of the moment stuff. We’re both sportsmen and he’s the best snooker player of all time.

“So to even be on the table with him, competing with him and playing with him and getting the odd win here and there is a feather in me cap.”

The 46-year-old will hope a statement win over O’Sullivan is a sign that he is set to secure a third German Masters title. Carter, who most recently won the event in 2023, faces Xu Si for a place in the quarter-finals.