ALI Carter claimed his first ranking title after storming back from behind to beat Joe Swail 9-5 in the final of snooker’s Welsh Open.

The Colchester-born star was 5-2 down at one point but won seven frames in a row – accumulating 640 points to his rival’s 71 – to claim glory in Newport.

Carter, the world number seven, pinched the crucial last frame of the afternoon session and then won six on the trot in the evening, making breaks of 116, 109, 61, 91 and 67.

Afterwards he admitted it was a ‘massive achievement’ and said: “It’s so pleasing to be a champion.

“The final was a tight match.

“Joe made it very difficult for me in the first session and at the interval I had to regroup and get my head right.

“I was pleased to get back in the game and delighted to win seven frames in a row.

“My dream was always to win a ranking event and they say that once you’ve got your first one out of the way more will follow.

“I really hope that’s the case.”

Carter, who grew up in Tiptree and owns Chelmsford Snooker Centre, is now looking forward to the sport’s showpiece event – the 888.com World Championship in April.

He reached the final last year, scoring a maximum 147 along the way, before losing to Essex rival Ronnie O’Sullivan.

“I learnt a lot from that experience – it was a steep learning curve,” he said.

“Now I can look forward to going back there this year with lots of confidence and who knows what might happen?”