Pistol has UK title in sights after firing his way into semi-finals
Antrim man Mark Allen on course for first-ever championship win
Last updated 8th Dec 2018
Mark Allen has booked his place in the semi-finals of the UK Championships.
The Antrim man cruised through after a resounding 6-1 win over his close friend Stephen Maguire last night at the Barbican in York.
It is the first time Allen, who has already won both Masters and International Championship titles this year, has reached the last four since 2011. Back then he made it through to the final but lost to Judd Trump.
He now meets big rival Stuart Bingham, from England tonight (Saturday) for a place in Sunday’s showpiece final.
Allen and former world champion Bingham, who also came through his quarter final in style, beating Kyren Wilson 6-1, have had a number of tense battles down through the years.
Title favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan will meet Tom Ford later in the other semi-final.
The tournament winner receives a cheque for £170,000.