CHELMSFORD snooker player Ali Carter has won his first professional tournament since beating his battle with cancer.

The prolific potter, who grew up in Tiptree, defeated Shaun Murphy 4-3 in the final of the Paul Hunter Classic.

It was a Kreativ Dental Clinic European Tour event and the 36-year-old held his nerve to win an exciting final in Fürth, Germany.

Carter (pictured) beat testicular cancer in 2013, as well as a tumour on his lung last year which required several cycles of chemotherapy to overcome.

He missed a series of tournaments last season and saw his world ranking drop to 29th.

However, now he is now on the right path both on and off the table and the three-time ranking event winner will believe he can regain a place among snooker’s elite.

“I can’t believe I’ve won again after everything I’ve been through,” he tweeted afterwards.

Carter built a 3-1 lead in the final with top breaks of 61 and 54.

Masters champion Murphy then took the fifth with an 83 clearance, before coming from 56-7 down to make it 3-3.

However, two-time world finalist Carter was not to be denied as he won the deciding frame with a superb break of 95 to win his first pro title since the 2013 German Masters.

The victory was worth 25,000 Euros.

Earlier, in the semi-finals, Carter had seen off Michael Holt 4-2.

The Kreativ Dental Clinic European Tour is a series of six events across the continent, with the top 24 on the final Order of Merit to qualify for the Players’ Championship.

The next event is the Ruhr Open, in Mülheim, Germany, from October 7 to 11.