Anthony Hamilton lifts German Masters to win first ranking event

Hamilton went into the tournament with the tag of 'the best player to never win a ranking event' - he last reached a final when losing the China Open 9-8 to Mark Williams in 2002 - but showed his class by knocking out world number one Mark Selby.

He beat world number two Stuart Bingham in the semi-finals but he was up against it in the final facing an in-form Carter, who looked set to win a second German Masters title when he led 5-2.

'The Captain' raced into a three frame lead before Hamilton fought back to make it 3-2.

Carter extended his two-frame cushion with the first century of the match but Hamilton battled hard to make sure he was only 5-3 going into the break between sessions.

The evening session saw Hamilton completely take charge as he registered four half-centuries and his sole century of the game to move 8-5 ahead.

There was drama in the final frame as Hamilton produced an incredible plant only to miss the pink.

However Carter couldn't get the snookers he needed and Hamilton, at the age of 45 and after 26 years on the tour, won his first ranking event.

"Dreams are made of this stuff," he told Eurosport afterwards. "It's been a fantastic week and I just can't ask for any more than this.

"I don't know what to do with the trophy as I've never had one," said Hamilton, who enjoyed runs of 118, 73, 74 and 70.

Two-times World Championship finalist Carter praised his opponent.

"I missed a plant at 5-2 when I could have gone 6-2 up, that was the key moment for me," said Carter. "Every credit to Anthony because he played well tonight. I didn't feel I did that much wrong.

"I'm not the best loser in the world but I didn't throw this one away. Getting to finals is great, but it's not what I'm here for.

"I have won one title this season and almost another so my game is in good shape."