Mark Allen Advances to Semi-Finals at Champion of Champions

Mark Allen is aiming to win the Champion of Champions for a third time in five years. Defending champion Mark Allen secured his progression to the semi-finals of this year’s Champion of Champions tournament in Bolton, having defeated Jak Jones 6-4 in Monday’s Group One final. The world number three from Northern Ireland executed a successful comeback after initially trailing his Welsh opponent 3-0. Breaks of 72, 64, and 104 allowed Allen to draw level, followed by a clearance of 66 in frame seven, which he won by a single point. The Antrim man also claimed the subsequent frame with a run of 82, moving him to within one frame of victory. However, 2024 World Championship finalist Jones retaliated with a 104 break in the ninth frame, reducing his deficit to one. Allen ultimately crossed the finish line by winning frame 10, thereby booking his place in the semi-finals. “The start wasn’t good from me, I was all at sea,” Allen informed ITV Sport after his triumph. He continued, “After that I didn’t miss too much. I felt like I upped the tempo and played some good stuff even though I could have lost a couple of frames.” Allen further commented, “It could have gone four all but it went 5-3 so after that all you have to do is hold yourself together then.” Earlier on Monday afternoon, Allen had advanced to his group final by overcoming Brazilian Igor Figueiredo 4-2 at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Despite compiling a break of 52, the two-time champion lost the opening frame to the World Seniors champion. Nevertheless, runs of 61 and 102 in frames two and three saw him establish a 2-1 lead. Figueiredo leveled the score by winning the next frame, but Allen’s second century of the match, a 107, pushed him ahead 3-2. The 38-year-old then proceeded to win the sixth frame, securing his spot in the final. Jones had defeated Scottish Open and Welsh Open winner Gary Wilson 4-2 to progress to his encounter with Allen. Breaks of 106 and 53 helped Jones build a 3-0 lead. Wilson, however, responded by putting together a 120 break to take frame four and then reduced his arrears to one by winning the subsequent frame. An impressive break of 132 ultimately clinched victory for Jones. The invitational tournament features 16 players, who are divided into four groups of four, with the winner of each group advancing to contest the semi-finals. The winner of Sunday’s final will receive a first prize of £150,000.