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Allen First In Furth

August 25th, 2014 | azhousepro | Uncategorized

Mark Allen won his third European Tour title within the past year by beating Judd Trump 4-2 in the final of the Arcaden Paul Hunter Classic in Fürth, Germany.

 

 

World number nine Allen won two European Tour titles last season and has now won the second of the current campaign, and tops the Order of Merit having been runner-up to Mark Selby at the Riga Open.

 

 

Watched by a packed crowd at the Fürth Stadthalle, Northern Ireland’s Allen collected the trophy and a cheque for 25,000 Euros after getting the better of world number six Trump.

 

 

A dramatic opening frame came down to a respotted black after Trump had missed frame-ball green, and he was made to pay as Allen took it. Trump hit back with a break of 92 before a scrappy third frame went Allen’s way for 2-1.

 

 

In the fourth, Allen had a chance to clear but missed a tough last red to a baulk corner, and Trump took advantage to level the match. Allen regained the lead after a poor safety from his opponent on the last red in the fifth. And the 28-year-old from Antrim sealed victory in the next with a fine break of 88.

 

 

“I’m glad I won this one, having been 3-0 up on Selby in the final in Riga and lost 4-3,” said the player nicknamed the Pistol. “It shows that I’m going in the right direction, having got to the last two finals.

 

 

“I’ve actually played poorly this weekend so I’m glad the final was a bit scrappy – if it had been open then Judd would have scored heavily. 

 

 

“I still feel I need to get more consistent. I don’t know why I do better in the European Tour events than the main ranking events because I don’t prepare any differently.

 

 

“The crowds here are amazing, everything about the tournament reflects well on the name of Paul Hunter and the players feel proud to be a part of it.”

 

 

Earlier in the semi-finals, Trump beat Ricky Walden 4-1 while Allen edged out veteran Rod Lawler 4-3.

 

 

The 2014/15 European Tour series comprises six events across the continent, with the top 24 in the final Order or Merit to go through to the Players Championship next March to battle for the £100,000 jackpot.

 

 

The next event is the Bulgarian Open in Sofia from October 2-5.

 

 

Results (Last 16 onwards)

 

 

Last 16

Mark Selby 4-1 Liang Wenbo

Ricky Walden 4-2 Fergal O’Brien

Judd Trump 4-2 Stephen Maguire

Tian Pengfei 4-2 Ronnie O’Sullivan

Dechawat Poomjaeng 4-2 Neil Robertson

Rod Lawler 4-0 Fraser Patrick

Alan McManus 4-2 Xiao Guodong

 

 

Quarter-finals

Walden 4-3 Selby

Trump 4-3 Tian

Lawler 4-2 Poomjaeng

Allen 4-3 McManus

 

 

Semi-finals

Trump 4-1 Walden

Allen 4-3 Lawler

 

 

Final
Allen 4-2 Trump

 
 
Tickets are now on sale for:

Champion of Champions
3-9 November, Ricoh Arena, Coventry

UK Championship
25 November – 7 December, York Barbican, York

The Masters
11-18 January, Alexandra Palace, London

World Snooker Championship
18 April – 4 May, The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

Book Now:  www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

Ronnie O’Sullivan – Welsh Open Is Special

August 8th, 2014 | azhousepro | Uncategorized

Snooker ace Ronnie O’Sullivan admits the BetVictor Welsh Open is one of his favourite tournaments on the calendar, and hopes the event will be a success at its new home in Cardiff.

 

The world ranking event will run from February 16-22 in 2015 and will take place in the Welsh capital for the first time in over a decade, having moved from Newport to the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff.

 

Tickets are ON SALE NOW and start at just £8, incredible value for the chance to see the world’s best players in action. Book immediately as tickets for many sessions will sell out fast, plus there’s a HALF PRICE OFFER for the first four days of the event (Monday February 16 to Thursday February 19) and the offer ends soon so don’t miss out!

 

Call 02920 22 44 88 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

 

The tournament will feature 128 players, all starting in the same round, and with 11 tables in the arena, fans will have the chance to watch several matches in one day.

 

O’Sullivan has won the Welsh Open three times, most recently in March this year when he thrashed Ding Junhui 9-3 in the final, and capped a supreme display with a stunning 147 in the last frame, the 12th maximum break of his career. He conceded just ten frames in seven matches on his way to winning the £60,000 top prize.

 

“The Welsh Open has been good to me over the years, I always enjoy it and I’ve played some of my best snooker there,” said the five-time World Champion. “That 147 against Ding is up among the high points of my career. I’ve watched it back on YouTube a few times since, particularly the last red which is one of the best shots I’ve ever played.

 

“I always liked the venue in Newport. But I understand the event needs to grow, and we need space for more tables and more players, and hopefully that will help create a great atmosphere.  I remember playing in Cardiff when the event was there before, it’s a good place.” 

 

O’Sullivan also won the Masters, the Champion of Champions and the Paul Hunter Classic last season, though he finished it on a low note, losing 18-14 to Mark Selby in the World Championship final. He is yet to confirm his schedule for 2014/15 but added: “I want to play in as many events as I can. I just have to look at the calendar and structure my season properly.”

 

Other winners of the BBC-Wales televised Welsh Open in recent years include Stephen Maguire, Ding, John Higgins, Ali Carter, Mark Selby and Neil Robertson.