Carter Continues Love Affair With Newport
Allister Carter maintained his great Wyldecrest Parks Welsh Open record in recent years by reaching the semi-finals with a 5-2 win over Ding Junhui and setting-up a repeat of last year's final with Scotland's John Higgins.
And he praised Welsh coach Terry Griffiths for turning his form around, especially with a mid-session interval chat over a cup of tea.
Carter, who won the Welsh title in 2009 saw off the formidable challenge of China's reigning Wembley Masters champion Ding Junhui at Newport Centre by winning the final three frames after the interval.
The Essex man collected the opening two frames before Ding squared it with breaks of 71 and 66.
But Carter is a determined player and rallied to hit breaks of 59, 76 and 74 to end Ding’s, and his crowds of Chinese supporter’s hopes of Welsh glory.
Carter said of Griffiths: "Terry has helped turn my career around from a nearly-man to a winner.
“I'm coming into the peak of my career. I should be there in the business end and winning tournaments.
"Terry is there as a guide. He has helped people like Marco Fu. At the interval, he said just go out and enjoy it.
“From 2-2, I felt as if it was the best I have hit the ball all season."
