Ali Carter beat Mark Williams 9-6 to win the English Open in Brentwood, securing his first title in this event and returning to the world's top 16. The 47-year-old Englishman, playing in front of home supporters, produced a dominant display after trailing at the interval, and the victory carries added significance given his long battle with Crohn's disease and cancer.

Williams led 5-3 after the opening session, but Carter won the first two frames back and went on to take all but one frame overall, sealing the match with a clean final frame. The win earned Carter the £100,000 top prize, his seventh ranking title and first since 2024, lifting him nine places up the rankings from 25th to inside the top 16.