1:57pm Wednesday 30th April 2008
STAR potter Ali Carter topped off achieving his first 147 in his competitive career by securing a place in the semi-finals of the 888.com World Snooker Championships.
Carter, 28, a former resident of Tiptree who recently moved to Chelmsford, made history by firing home the second maximum break of the tournament, at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, during his quarter-final clash with Peter Ebdon on Tuesday April 29.
It came just a day after Ronnie O'Sullivan achieved a maximum break and is the first time there have been two 147s in the same ranking tournament.
Carter held an overnight lead of 9-7 before sealing his victory today (Wednesday April 30) taking the match 13-9.
However, Ebdon nearly made a 147 himself in the frame immediately before Carter potted his.
He missed the fifteenth black and a chance to share a £147,000 bonus for a maximum and £10,000 for the highest break in the tournament with O'Sullivan.
His loss was Carter's gain and it was obvious to see what it meant to the Colchester-born professional.
He punched the air with delight as he sank the final black and a roar of applause erupted from the crowd.
Carter's victory sees him reach his first World Championship semi-final which starts tomorrow.
He will now face either Stephen Maguire or Joe Perry for a place in the final.