Ali Carter beats Tom Ford in German Masters final to end seven-year trophy drought and move into top 16

Ali Carter won his first ranking title in seven years as he produced a dominant display to beat Tom Ford in the German Masters final.

Carter, whose last ranking win came at the Yushan World Open in 2016, made eight half-century breaks and one century as he stormed back to win from 2-0 down.

Carter reeled off six consecutive frames in the first session and followed up with four in a row in the evening session to clinch victory.

The highlight for Ford, who was playing in his first ranking final, came in the first frame with a break of 121.

This is the second time Carter has won the German Masters after also lifting the trophy in 2013.

Ford needed a strong start to the evening session as he looked to rally from 6-3 down, but he couldn’t make the most of several chances in the opening frame.

After missing a cut on a black into the bottom corner, Ford watched as Carter cleared up to extend his lead.

Ford took on a long red to start the next frame and not only missed but left it over the pocket.

Carter took advantage with a break of 75 putting him 8-3 ahead.

The 12th frame seemed pivotal for Ford’s slim comeback hopes and he looked set to pull one back at 51-23 ahead.

However, he missed a red to the corner and then left a red on for Carter when trying to play safe. Carter showed excellent composure to clean up, finishing with a tightly-cut black into the middle pocket.

If Carter was nervous with victory in sight he didn’t show it.

He twice potted two reds in one shot and then made a composed break of 63 to end his wait for a ranking title.