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Mark Allen Outplays Mark Selby

Posted : 17 January 2025

Mark Allen showcased his strategic brilliance to secure a 6-2 victory over Mark Selby, advancing to the semi-finals of the Johnstone's Paint Masters. In a display of precision and tactical dominance at Alexandra Palace, Allen outmaneuvered Selby, marking his fifth appearance in the tournament’s last four. The Northern Irishman, who previously won the Masters in 2018, is now just two wins away from claiming a second title and will face Shaun Murphy in Saturday’s semi-final.

 

This latest encounter between the two players deviated from their usual nail-biting finishes. Their prior three Masters meetings all went to deciding frames, with Selby taking two of those before Allen exacted revenge last year. However, this time Allen controlled the match, capitalizing on Selby’s missed opportunities. Selby, a three-time Masters champion, has not reached the semi-finals of the event since 2014, and his struggle to capitalize on key moments proved costly.

 

Allen’s composure shone in pivotal frames, particularly the fourth, where he overturned a 71-8 deficit to steal the frame with a brilliant clearance. Similarly, the fifth frame saw Allen edge out Selby in a tense battle over the last red, pushing his lead to 4-1. A nervy 11-minute standoff on the final black in frame six also ended in Allen’s favor after Selby’s misjudged shot left the black open. Though Selby managed a run of 80 to narrow the gap, Allen closed out the match with a clinical performance, including a decisive thin cut on the yellow in the final frame.

 

Reflecting on his victory, Allen expressed satisfaction with his progress, noting improvements in his game and his excitement for the semi-finals. He acknowledged the pivotal fourth frame as a turning point, crediting his resilience for shifting the momentum. Selby, meanwhile, lamented his missed chances and acknowledged Allen’s superior execution in the crucial moments, conceding that his opponent deserved the win.

 

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