SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Mark Allen of Northern Ireland reacts during the Betfred World Snooker Championship Round One match between Mark Allen of Northern Ireland and Lyu Haotian of China at Crucible Theatre on April 20, 2021 in Sheffield, England. A maximum of 33% of the venue capacity is allowed to open for spectators as part of a Government pilot event. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
suspension;another snooker player Mark Allen has been suspended his playing due to his comment today….SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – APRIL 20: Mark Allen of Northern Ireland reacts during the Betfred World Snooker Championship Round One match between Mark Allen of Northern Ireland and Lyu Haotian of China at Crucible Theatre on April 20, 2021 in Sheffield, England. A maximum of 33% of the venue capacity is allowed to open for spectators as part of a Government pilot event. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Mark Allen beat Lyu Haotian 10-2 in the world championship first round, and then paid tribute to the outgoing World Snooker Tour chairman, Barry Hearn.
The Northern Irish player has been one of Hearn’s most vociferous critics, but called the 72-year-old “a revelation to the game” after he announced on Tuesday that he would be handing over the role to his son, Eddie.
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“Pretty much everything he’s touched has turned to gold,” Allen said after sealing victory having led 7-2 following the morning session. “Where we were in 2010, we didn’t even feel like snooker players, and now we’re complaining we’re overworked – it’s been an amazing turnaround.”
The world No 13 added: “We’ve had a few disagreements over the years but he’s always been the first to support every single charity event I’ve ever done over the last 10 years, and he will be sadly missed. What they’ve done in this Covid year has been phenomenal, miles above any other sport and that’s testament to Barry and his team.”
Allen famously clashed with Hearn during the 2011 UK Championship over the decision to reduce it to a best-of-11 format. He insisted the move proved that under Hearn “the whole tradition of the game is going to pot”. Allen was fined for his outburst with Hearn retorting that the player was “a silly little boy”.
“These are the players that have been in form over the last 12 months. To win this event, it means you’re game is in good shape.
“I’ve been working so hard to try and get my game back. I don’t want see other people winning all the trophies; I want to be part of that.
“But ultimately, you just have to play better, and I haven’t been doing that. To come here and find some form is probably more important than anything else.
“I really enjoyed playing this week and to beat anyone of Judd’s class in the final 10-3, I’m going in the right places.
“Hopefully, [the tournament] will stay here for a while to come. It’s created its own magic in the last few years. It’s great to be back winning, but I won’t be taking anything for granted.”
ALLEN REACTS
“This is why we play – to play in front of the best crowds at the best venues against the very best in the world.
“There’s no doubt Judd this season has been far and away the best player on the planet. It’s up to the rest of us to catch up; I’m fed up of texting him after every tournament to say well done!
“It’s nice to get one over him, but he’ll be back and I’m sure he’ll give me a few bashings as the years go on.”
MORE FROM TRUMP
“It’s been an amazing start to the season. Obviously, it’s tough after you’ve just suffered a heavy defeat. But it’s been a dream start to the calendar. Hopefully, I’ll be playing more finals.
“It’s nice to see Mark back in form now. He was the main man last year, so it gives me something to aim at again now. You can tell he’s been working hard. It’s going to be an exciting season.”
TRUMP REACTS
“It was a good first four frames. I felt I maybe should have been two-all, or even 3-1 in front. I just missed too many easy balls all day. I struggled really and couldn’t get going.
“My safety – I was hitting every single baulk colour every time and Mark was potting them from there. It’s fine margins. Against someone that good, you’ve got to have the white nailed to that back cushion.
“Then when you do get chances, you can’t miss on 10 or anything like that. A disappointing day at the office, but he played really well. I struggled through the first few rounds to get to the final; I think Mark probably was the best player in the whole tournament. Normally, the best players wins, and that’s what happened.”
YOUR CHAMPION
After reaching his third successive final, Trump receives a cheque for £60,000.
As for Allen, he takes home a cheque for £150,000 and lifts the trophy to the crowd.
PRESENTATION TIME
Both players are interviewed by Rob Walker and will now receive their cheques and, for the winner, the trophy.
CHAMPION!
Mark Allen wins the Champion of Champions for a second time after wrapping up a commanding 10-3 victory over Judd Trump.
It was a dominant display by the Pistol, who becomes the third player to win this tournament on multiple occasions after Ronnie O’Sullivan and Neil Robertson.
TRUMP 3-9 ALLEN (0-61)
The Pistol is almost there. He needs just one more red and colour…
TRUMP 3-9 ALLEN (0-7)
Allen has a decent opportunity to secure frame, match and the title after Trump misses an ambitious attempt at a plant. Can he grab it with both hands?
TRUMP 3-9 ALLEN
Trump escapes the snooker, but leaves Allen a red to the right centre. The Pistol knocks it in and wastes no time in sealing the frame with a further 42.
He is just one away from the title.
TRUMP 3-8 ALLEN (0-33)
Allen gets the first opportunity of frame 12 after brilliantly crunching in a long red. But after splitting the pack nicely, he underhits a red to the left centre and is forced to play safe behind the green.
TRUMP 3-8 ALLEN
Trump gets one of the snookers, but it proves academic as he eventually concedes after Allen knocks in the green.
The Pistol needs just two more frames for the trophy.
TRUMP 3-7 ALLEN (16-58)
A run of 57 by the Pistol leaves Trump needing two snookers. Unsurprisingly, the Ace is playing on in an attempt to get them.
TRUMP 3-7 ALLEN (16-1)
Trump is in again in the 11th frame with the crowd continuing to get behind him. But he misses a red with the rest and splits the pack open. Allen has a chance to punish.
TRUMP 3-7 ALLEN
The world number two will be hoping this is the start of a revival. A break of 77 sees him get that first frame of the evening on the board.
TRUMP 2-7 ALLEN (41-0)
Trump is on 35 and counting as he looks to start the evening session in the best way possible.
TRUMP 2-7 ALLEN (7-0)
Roars of ‘Come on, Judd’ echo around the arena as Allen misses a long red and leaves Trump with an opportunity. Can he take it and build momentum?
TRUMP 2-7 ALLEN (5-0)
The crowd go wild as Trump knocks in a long red. They are desperate for this final not to end prematurely.
Despite potting a nice brown, the Ace does not have position on a red and is forced to play safe.
THE PLAYERS ARE OUT
The atmosphere inside the arena is electric as the two players are welcomed by the MC.
They shake hands and we are back under way in Bolton.
IT’S NOT OVER YET
Although Allen is in a strong position, Trump is not out of this yet by any means.
Of course, he was 7-3 down against Zhang Anda in last month’s English Open final, but came roaring back to win 9-7.
The Ace also fought back from 7-2 down against Allen in the World Grand Prix showpiece at the start of the year, though he eventually lost 10-9.
WELCOME BACK
Good evening everyone! Welcome back to our coverage of the conclusion to this year’s Champion of Champions.
A quick reminder that Mark Allen holds a commanding 7-2 lead over Judd Trump after a generally one-sided opening session in Bolton this afternoon.
The first to 10 frames will be crowned the champion of this event for a second time.
THAT’S ALL FROM ME
Right, that’s me done for this afternoon, but the action continues tonight. Will Allen continue his procession towards a second Champion of Champions title, or will Trump perform a remarkable comeback? Join us from 6.45pm to find out!
TRUMP 2-7 ALLEN (68-13)
Allen escapes that spot of bother, leaving Trump a long red, which he misses. Allen cleans it up, but then in potting the pink, he goes in-off. A quick glance and nod of the head from Allen, who concedes the frame. He’s got an emphatic five frame lead going into this evening, and Judd will hope that’s a bit of a lifeline for him
TRUMP 1-7 ALLEN (62-12)
That will make Judd feel better. A long pot to the right corner, clipping the red into the pocket and bringing the cue ball back up beyond the baulk line. He plays in safe behind the brown, although doesn’t quite lay the safety. 50 ahead with 51 remaining on the table
TRUMP 1-7 ALLEN (61-12)
Allen pots a red, but there’s only four left on the table now and they are clustered together in pairs. He needs to try and move them as he goes around the angles off the blue, but, unfortunately for him, clips the black first in what was an otherwise great attempt. A good safety follows
TRUMP 1-7 ALLEN (61-6)
The lesser-spotted spider rest comes out for Trump as he has to bridge over the blue to try and pot a red into the left corner, and he misses it by absolutely miles. If he’s sunk that, with a colour, Allen would have required snookers. As it is, the Northern Irishman comes back to the table with a chance to make it 8-1 – although we’re a long way from that stage just yet
TRUMP 1-7 ALLEN (*46-6)
Trump sets about making the most of this opportunity by working his way around the table. There’s one stun on a black that nearly goes wrong, but he just about has an angle on a red on the top cushion to keep the break going. This is, if nothing else, confidence boosting
TRUMP 1-7 ALLEN (14-6)
A lifeline, for Judd? Allen pots a red and blue, but then misses a shot to the left corner. Trump has another chance to compile something here
TRUMP 1-7 ALLEN (14-0)
Well, this is better from Trump. Allen leaves him a nice starter with his safety shot, and after a few handy pots, he hammers the cue ball into the pack off the blue, opening the reds right up. He’s one good shot away from the frame here, but it’s just not happening, is it? He misses the cut back to the right corner.
