Sport

Mark Allen makes brilliant 147 in Masters win over Mark Selby

Former champion and Antrim native will face Ali Carter in semi-final

Mark Allen celebrates making a 147 in his Masters quarter-final match against Mark Selby. Photograph: Steven Paston/PA Wire
Mark Allen celebrates making a 147 in his Masters quarter-final match against Mark Selby. Photograph: Steven Paston/PA Wire
Sat Jan 13 2024 - 07:21

Antrim man Mark Allen hit a brilliant 147 on his way to a narrow victory over Mark Selby in a thrilling Masters quarter-final at London’s Alexandra Palace on Friday.

After losing the first two frames, Allen got off the mark by producing the second maximum of this year’s tournament – following Ding Jinhui’s in the opening round. It was the third 147 of the Northern Irishman’s career.

Selby subsequently moved 4-1 ahead before Allen claimed four frames in a row, including a break of 103, to take the lead.

After Selby brought things level again, Allen took the final frame to book a semi-final clash with Ali Carter.

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Speaking after his match, Allen said: “I don’t know where that maximum came from because it was a really poor performance tonight.

“You never know how a match can change. I was applying myself really well, I just couldn’t find any rhythm and, as the match went on, I grew into it.

“Any win against Mark is a good win, so I’ll take that into tomorrow, but I’ll need to play better.”

[ How Mark Allen’s revival started with some sage advice from Ronnie O’Sullivan ]

Carter earlier knocked out defending champion Judd Trump in another contest that went down to the wire.

Carter was losing 5-4 and facing an exit in the 10th frame only for his opponent to over-cut the matchball red, allowing the 44-year-old to seize his chance and produce a 43 clearance to take it to a decider.

Boosted by that momentum, a break of 64 then saw Carter, who had been 4-2 up, only for Trump to fight back with a break of 129 on his way to winning three frames in succession, through to only his second Masters semi in 13 attempts.

“For all the money, I looked like going 5-3 in front and lost my composure for a couple of frames,” Carter said in his post-match interview.

“I felt like I worked really hard but was delighted to make an unbelievable clearance to force a decider.

“Then how I’ve held myself together there, I don’t know – that’s a feather in my cap.”

The other semi-final sees Ronnie O’Sullivan face Shaun Murphy. – PA