This afternoon sees the first of the tournaments two semi-finals get underway as Scotland’s John Higgins takes on Mark Allen in a repeat of their semi-final clash at the World Championship back in 2009. Click below for updates throughout the day…
John Higgins 9-5 Mark Allen
Congratulations to John Higgins who is through to the final of the UK Championship for the second year in a row following a 9-5 victory over Mark Allen this evening.
Resuming at 4-4, the match looked destined to go all the way but a few errors from Mark and some excellent play from John limited the Northern Irishman to just one frame this evening as Higgins moved 6-4 ahead and never really looked back.
The result means that John will play either Mark Williams or Shaun Murphy in Sunday’s final with not only a possible first UK title since 2000 up for grabs, but also the world number one spot that he lost earlier this season due to suspension.
Pre-Match Thoughts
As most semi-final matches are, this clash is tough to call as whilst John Higgins has the experience, the trophies and the hunger to make yet another final, Mark Allen is a player whom I rate highly and who I believe will win a major ranking event during the next few years.
On form, John has been excellent this week on his return to the televised tournaments, withstanding stern tests from a revitalised Stephen Lee and fellow Scots Graeme Dott and Stephen Maguire. He might not have been at his dazzling best against either Graeme or Maguire but under pressure he looked as good as ever and was able to win the frames that really mattered.
Mark meanwhile has also played well, in particular during the first session of his match against Ding Junhui and then again to steady himself and take the match having seen the defending champion recover a four frame deficit to level at 4-4.
On balance you have to side with Higgins I feel but as someone who would like to see a new winner this week, a victory for Mark would not be a bad thing at all in my book…
Frame One
Fabulous start to this match from John Higgins who has pounced on a missed attempt at a long red from Mark to win the frame in one visit. We know at least that he is playing well…
Frame Two
And now we know that Mark is too as he himself knocked in a long red before going on to clear the table to the black and make his fifth century break of the week, the 53rd in total. Two frames in 21 minutes, quickfire!
Frame Three
Interesting start to frame three as a free ball is called by referee Brendan Moore but despite the decision being in his favour, John Higgins was not convinced. After checking the decision however it was indeed called as a free ball and John embarked on what was a possible 155 break, although a few blues and pinks followed by a poor split on the reds meant that the break ended on 64. A poor shot from Allen however gave him another chance and this time he made no mistake. 2-1 Higgins.
Frame Four
With pink and black running awkward, this frame was somewhat more tactical than the last two as both had their chances to build up a frame-winning break. Ultimately however it was to be a fluke for Mark that swung it his way and ensured that they will go into the interval level at 2-2…
Frame Five
The quality before the interval may have been outstanding but frame five was the most dramatic of the afternoon to date as both players wasted clear chances to take it.
First in was Mark Allen who was looking good before a missed red to the left-centre on 53 left John in prime position for a counter-attack. Surprisingly however he was to overhit a shot and leave himself out of position although a poor safety from Allen soon gave him a second chance which it looked for all the world like he was about to take.
From however John was to then miss a simple green when clearing up, giving Mark another chance to get the frame on the board. The Northern Irishman though could not get nicely on the pink and having missed it, it was eventually John who was able to play a stunning shot to not only pot into the yellow pocket, but to come back the length of the table and land perfectly on the black.
3-2 to John and it is important from here that Allen does not let the missed chances get to him now…
Frame Six
Under the circumstances, an excellent break of 72 from Mark to level at 3-3, despite a mobile phone going off and a window in the arena opening and closing by itself!
Frame Seven
While much of the session has seen some free flowing snooker, this one was very tactical and it was therefore surprising to see Mark Allen come out on top to move into the lead for the first time at 4-3.
One more frame to come during this session, will they be all square heading into tonight or will Mark be able to open up a two frame lead?
Frame Eight
Unsurprisingly, the answer is that it will be 4-4, John upping his game to round off a thoroughly enjoyable session of snooker. Which way it will go?
Frame Nine
So then the players resume for the evening session and the first man in amongst the balls is Mark Allen looking to move back into the lead of this match.
Unfortunately for him however, a poor miss on a black off the spot was to prove his last shot in the frame as John stepped in and with the balls perfectly positioned did enough to steal the frame.
Frame Ten
As was the case this afternoon, John looks to be in fine form early in the session and is first in with 37 in frame ten. Can he get back to the table and open up a two frame lead for the first time in this match?
He can indeed, another error from Mark proves as costly as that in the previous frame. Long way to go yet but you just feel that we are entering a key part of the match now with two frames to go before the final interval. Mark needs at least one of them…
Frame Eleven
And one of them he has as although both had their chances, he was able to clear to the colours before then laying a decisive snooker which was enough for the frame. Great response once again there.
Frame Twelve
But Higgins is strong enough mentally not be unsettled by that and the Scot made short work of frame twelve to secure a two frame lead heading into the mid-session interval.