Wuhan Open 2023: Ali Carter cruises to final in China with victory over Lyu Haotian, Judd Trump to face Wu Yize

Ali Carter eased past Lyu Haotian 6-2 to reach Sunday’s Wuhan Open final.

Carter flew out of the blocks and was in line for an early 147 but missed a long red, however, that early flurry would show his intent as he wrapped up the opener without reply.

A mistake in the second frame gave Lyu an opportunity to strike back and after some more sloppy play from Carter, the world No. 39 levelled the match following a tactical frame.

Carter restored his lead with another dominant frame following some brave, attacking snooker, but not without more clumsy play.

Lyu finally got going in the fourth frame and after some tight back-and-forth snooker between the pair, the 25-year-old began to stretch his lead.

He had the chance to settle the frame when Carter missed a red and with Lyu needing a high-scoring colour to level matters once more, went for the blue but couldn’t send it down.

Carter, needing a snooker to regain control, was unlucky with a rebound on a red which left Lyu with a simple pot to equal the tie at 2-2.

Following a tight four frames, momentum began to shift heavily in Carter’s favour after the break.

He showed intent and quality to race 3-2 ahead with a break of 96, and then after a terrible early shot from Lyu in the next frame, Carter swept him aside with another scintillating run from the Englishman as he notched his 388th career century break.

More excellence from Carter in the seventh frame began to see him pull clear of a deflated Lyu as he stretched his lead to three.

Lyu began the eighth frame well, making up 41 before a dodgy slice on the red put control of the game firmly in Carter’s hands.

But after some safe play from Carter and one last chance for Lyu to regain some control, he failed to sink the black in a shocking error which left the red hanging over the pocket for Carter.

From there, the 44-year-old never looked back as he capitalised on Lyu mistake with some precise potting to wrap up the match.

Carter will face either Judd Trump or Wu Yize in Sunday’s final, in what will be his third ranking event final of 2023.