Ali Carter says he learned to control his emotions after he beat Robert Milkins 6-1 in the Duelbits Players Championship to reach the semi-finals.
When newly crowned Welsh Open champion Milkins was knocked down at Wolverhampton, Carter dominated from start to finish.
“I was completely calm and thought I had some freedom because I was sitting in my chair[against Judd Trump]last night and I thought I was losing,” Carter told ITV.
“I challenge myself in practice. I create really difficult routines – and it’s frustrating – but if you’re looking for improvement, you should really make the practice hard on yourself.
“I also control my emotions, which I haven’t always been the best at.
“Sometimes I still want to be confused but try to cover it up because I’ve lost so many games in the past that I let my emotions get the better of me.
“I beat myself up and now I’m 43, so I can’t afford to beat myself up.”
Breaks of 66 and 98 on either side of the tight and tactical frame saw Carter take a 3-0 lead.
Fourth frame was won by Milkins, but Carter, who had 95 percent pot success and scored a total of 531 points against his opponent’s 192, secured his progress with a 75-timeout timeout.
Earlier, Luke Brecel and Gary Wilson have reserved their places in the last eight.
Wilson will play as Brecel beats Jack Lisowski 6-4 to set a quarterfinal appointment with Joe O’Connor Kyrenia Wilson after lightening the past Ding Junhui 6-3.
The winner of the O’Connor-Brecel draw will face Carter in the semi-finals.