Masters snooker 2024: Jimmy White and Alan McManus backing 'smartest guy' Ronnie O'Sullivan to come good in final

Updated 14/01/2024 at 16:36 GMT

The final of the Masters is well poised, with Ali Carter holding a 5-3 lead over Ronnie O'Sullivan after the first session at Alexandra Palace. Jimmy White and Alan McManus have been impressed with Carter, but expect world No. 1 O'Sullivan to up his game as he goes in search of an eighth Masters title. Stream the 2024 Masters live on Eurosport and discovery+

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Ali Carter holds a 5-3 lead over Ronnie O’Sullivan after the first session of the Masters final, but Jimmy White is backing the world No. 1 to fight back and Alan McManus expects him to be far tighter in the evening session.

Carter was the better player of the two at Alexandra Palace on Sunday as he chases only his second career win over O’Sullivan from 19 meetings.

Attack was the order of the day from both players, with Carter edging the potting stakes by some margin.

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White feels O’Sullivan will come on strong in the evening, while McManus expects him to be far tighter with his approach in the second session

“5-3 to Carter on reflection is the right score, but still a lot to play for,” White said in the Eurosport studio.

“Ronnie is playing well today. He is in fine form and cueing I think the best he has this whole tournament.

"He is scoring better than he has been, but has been making the odd mistake. You do get punished when you do play the wrong shots, and he has gone for a couple of doubles and gone for a few balls.

“He normally terrorises his opponents, but Ali has been standing up to him.

“I would still want to be on O’Sullivan [to win], but Ali Carter deserves his lead.”

McManus feels O’Sullivan will have to up his game as he does not expect Carter to falter, but thinks the seven-time Masters winner will bring a tighter approach to the table.

“He has looked far superior than Ronnie when he has got in close,” McManus said of Carter. “He has not looked like missing anything when in close.”

Asked by Radzi Chinyanganya whether he thought Carter would blink under pressure, McManus replied: “Ali Carter is playing too well.

“Yes, the Masters title is on the line when they get back out there, but I think he is playing too well. I don’t think he is going to drop all that much.”

McManus feels O’Sullivan took too many risks in the first session, and expects him to shift his stance.

“Ronnie is the smartest guy in the block, knowing and sensing what kind of game he needs to beat the guy in the other chair,” McManus said. “I think he will find something tonight and he will have a different approach.

“I think he will sense Ali is not going to miss in close so can’t be gifting him chances.

“There is a long way to go here, but I think Ronnie is going to tighten up.”

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