CHELMSFORD snooker professional Ali Carter insists he thrived on the emotion pouring out at the Masters after triumphing in his first major match since being given the all-clear from cancer.

Carter was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour on his lung last May, less than year after recovering from testicular cancer, but got the all-clear in December and received a standing ovation before beating Barry Hawkins 6-1 at London’s Alexandra Palace.

The 35-year-old seemed genuinely touched by the ovation and used it as inspiration to produce some of his best snooker in the first-round contest.

He raced into a two-frame lead and although Hawkins snatched the third, Carter made a high break of 130 to cruise to victory in just over two hours.

That sets up a quarter-final date with world number one Neil Robertson on Thursday evening and the Colchester-born potter admits he was delighted just to be able to focus on snooker once again.

“It felt great – the reception I got was awesome and I wanted to go out there and give a good account of myself,” he said.

“Now I’ve got all the cancer business behind me I can focus on getting my career back.

“The reception I got was immense – it is almost as if the crowd has been through the dark days with me.

“It was brilliant and to play out there on the one table set-up again reminded me that I am one of the best players in the world.

“I’ve been to hell and back over the last 18 months, so hopefully tonight I have turned the corner.”

The Masters hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Carter in the past, having previously advanced beyond the first round just once.

And while he knows that Robertson won’t be an easy opponent, the man affectionately known as ‘Captain’ is aiming high and sees no reason why he can’t break his hoodoo at the event.

“Neil Robertson is another top player but all the top 16 are great players, so I’m not too worried about that,” added Carter.

“It’s a pleasure to play here – this tournament hasn’t been too nice to me over the years, so it would be nice to put that right.

“I want to win some tournaments again – I feel like I’m going to win again but I don’t quite know when.

“I’m just pleased to be back competing and feeling good in myself and hopefully all the dark days are behind me.”

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