Mark Allen came through a fiercely contested clash with Gary Wilson, winning 6-4 after four hours and 15 minutes of play, to make the semi-finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Players Championship in Telford.
It will be the 37th appearance in the last four of a ranking event for the Northern Irishman, who has already claimed silverware at the Shoot Out and the Champion of Champions this season.
Victory puts him in a strong position to qualify for the Johnstone’s Paint Tour Championship in Manchester in April. However, first of all, he now faces the prospect of a last four meeting with Ali Carter tomorrow evening.
Defeat for Wilson ends an impressive winning streak, which saw him lift ranking silverware for the third time last week with victory at the Welsh Open.
Before the mid-session Allen asserted his control in a fluent first four frames. Breaks of 84, 63 and 75 helped him to establish a 3-1 advantage.
When play resumed if became more fragmented. They both captured sets of consecutive frames to see Allen move one from victory at 5-3.
The ninth frame came down to the colours, with Allen eventually leaving himself a tricky black to top left with the white frozen to the cushion. He missed it and Wilson pulled one back and made it 5-4. Allen recovered from that set back and a fine break of 69 saw him over the line.
“It wasn’t the nicest shot in the world, but even under that pressure it is one you should still be getting. I hit it pretty well, but I just didn’t pot it. I regrouped, didn’t let it affect me and played some good safety at the start of the next frame and made a good break to win.”
Mark Allen
World Number Three
Allen added: “It was a match which started well for me. I should have pushed on from that. The balls started going scrappy, not from missing but from some good safety. There were some long and drawn out frames. I felt Gary got the better of that. I should have closed it out 6-3, but I made a really good break in the last frame when the balls were awkward.
“Ali has been very consistent, more than me this season. He has been knocking on the door for quite some time. Hopefully his time isn’t this week. He is playing some great snooker and is a great player. I think he has improved on the mental side of the game by working with Chris Henry. He is a match for anyone.”