Mark Allen cruises past Mark Selby in semi-final to book final spot of 2012 World Open
Spectators at the Haikou Stadium arena in the Hainan Island witnessed one of the most tussling encounters of the tournament as Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen breezed past World Number one, England’s Mark Selby by the score line of 6-5 in the semi-final clash
of 2012 World Open.
The semi-final clash proceeded the way it was being expected before its start. Both potters played brilliantly throughout the tournament to make their way into the penultimate stage of the event. During their run, they faced a couple of tough matches but
they retained their form and succeeded in those matches.
The Antrim potter, Allen, began his campaign with an easy victory over England’s Jimmy Robertson by the score line of 5-1. His second round match was the toughest one where he played the 2011 UK Championship winner, England’s Judd Trump.
However, after a tussling battle, he was able to oust the Bristolian potter by 5-4 and surge into the quarter-finals where he beat Mark King by 5-1 to set up Selby semi clash.
The Jester from Leicester, Selby, had his run started with a brilliant success over the Chinese potter, Lu Ning by 5-3 and hammered into the second round. His second round opponent was compatriot Michael Holt who whitewashed the 2011 Australian Goldfields
Open winner, England’s Stuart Bingham. Selby faced no resistance from Holt and defeated him easily by 5-3.
The 28-year-old Selby met the former World Snooker Champion, compatriot Shaun Murphy in the quarter-final and easily overpowered him by a whitewash win by 5-0.
The Allen-Selby semi-final battle commenced with a tremendous 2-5 lead of Selby as he cruised past Allen in the first two sessions brilliantly. Allen had no chance to get back into the match as he was punished brutally by the Leicester potter. At this point,
it seemed that Mark the Shark will grab the trophy after a superb 6-2 win over the Pistol.
However, Selby’s hopes and crowd’s expectations were put down by the Northern Irishman when he sprang back into the game outstandingly and clinched four consecutive frames to hit the jackpot in the final. Allen totally stunned the Englishman with his classy
comeback into the game.
The 2011 UK Championship finalist proudly lifted his first major ranking event trophy at the Haikou Stadium, Hainan.
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