ALLEN POWERS INTO 2024 GROSVENOR CASINOS CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS SEMI-FINALS

Mark Allen took another step in his title defence at the 2024 Grosvenor Casinos Champion of Champions, booking his spot in the semi-finals with a hard-fought 6-4 victory over Jak Jones on Monday evening.

The Northern Irishman started the day with a best-of-seven match against World Senior Champion Igor Figueiredo. Errors early on allowed Figueiredo to capture the opening frame, but Allen responded quickly, capitalising on Figueiredo’s mistakes to secure the second and third frames. Figueiredo struck back in the fourth, a well-placed snooker behind the yellow allowing him to level the match at 2-2.

Allen took control in the fifth frame, producing the tournament’s first century break to regain the lead. The Pistol’s momentum held strong as he punished Figueiredo’s miss on an easy red, closing out the match with a decisive 4-2 win to advance to the Group One final.

In the group final showdown, Allen faced Jak Jones, who had made an impressive tournament debut by knocking out Scottish and Welsh Open champion Gary Wilson 4-3.

The Welshman started confidently, winning two close safety battles to take a 2-0 lead and then thrilling the audience with a stunning 137 break for a 3-0 advantage.

But Allen turned the tide in the fourth, launching a comeback that saw him control the table. He capitalised on Jones’s error in the fifth, potting the black and closing the gap. With a powerful 139 clearance in the sixth, Allen drew level, and a gritty performance in the seventh gave him a narrow lead. Allen extended his advantage after yet another mistake from Jones, although the Welshman clawed back a frame to keep his hopes alive. Ultimately, it was Allen’s composure and precision that sealed the final frame, earning him a 6-4 win and a well-deserved place in the semi-finals as he continues his quest to defend his title.