Mark Allen secured a second Champion of Champions title with a dominant 10-3 victory over Judd Trump on Sunday in Bolton.
After the opening two frames had been shared with breaks of 59 from Allen and an excellent 123 by Trump, the previous started to construct his benefit.
The Pistol gained a number of shut frames to steer 4-1 after which fired in a terrific 137 break to increase his cushion even additional.
When the scoreline grew to become 7-1, it was a case of harm limitation for Trump, who had been the pre-tournament and pre-final favorite.
The Englishman gained the final body of the primary session and the opening body of the night session to briefly scale back the hole.
Nevertheless, any hopes of a comeback had been instantly dashed when Allen gained the eleventh body.
The world quantity 4 duly dominated the remaining couple of frames to finish the rout.
Victory for Allen provides to his earlier Champion of Champions title in 2020, and he collects a cool £150,000 cheque for his efforts.
The 37 year-old misplaced solely eight frames throughout the event, a formidable feat contemplating the elite discipline of winners that had assembled within the draw.
“I used to be very regular all day. I didn’t miss too many balls,” Mark Allen mentioned quickly after.
“I saved Judd below stress just about all day. I made a number of good clearances early within the match that had been presumably an early turning level.”
“Then from 7-1, all of the doubts begin coming in – considering all you are able to do from right here is lose.
“However I managed to shut it out very well, I performed very well within the final three frames.
“Judd didn’t have that mad run at me within the second session that I used to be kind of anticipating.
“He potted a number of good lengthy ones within the first body and made an excellent break, and also you’re kind of fearing the worst.
“I believe he missed one with the remainder and left me a simple probability at 7-3, and that was the one.
“I managed to take it to go to 8-3, and I used to be settled down then. Simply do nothing foolish and it is best to win.
“I performed fairly regular all week after a nervy begin towards Jimmy (White) in spherical one.
“These are large occasions, they’re essential occasions. I used to be edgy towards Jimmy, let’s be sincere. However from 1-1, I performed fairly properly.
“I by no means actually appeared again. I performed some actually great things towards (Ali) Carter, I performed properly towards John (Higgins) despite the fact that he made a number of errors, which isn’t like him.
“Then I performed properly once more all day at the moment and put Judd below stress, so I’m very glad.
“It’s why we play the sport – you need to play within the greatest occasions in entrance of the packed crowds.”
Allen will head to subsequent week’s UK Championship stuffed with confidence and with aspirations of efficiently defending the crown he gained final 12 months in York.
The Antrim man has odds of 12/1 to emerge with the title on the Barbican Centre for a second successive season.
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2023 Champion of Champions
Monday (Group 4)
Final 16 (bo7)
Mark Allen 4-1 Jimmy White
Mark Selby 3-4 Ali Carter
Quarter-Closing (bo11)
Mark Allen 6-2 Ali Carter
Tuesday (Group 2)
Final 16 (bo7)
Luca Brecel 0-4 Barry Hawkins
Mark Williams 2-4 Robert Milkins
Quarter-Closing (bo11)
Barry Hawkins 6-2 Robert Milkins
Wednesday (Group 1)
Final 16 (bo7)
John Higgins 4-0 Chris Wakelin
Ding Junhui 4-3 Zhang Anda
Quarter-Closing (bo11)
John Higgins 6-1 Ding Junhui
Thursday (Group 3)
Final 16 (bo7)
Judd Trump 4-0 Baipat Siripaporn
Shaun Murphy 4-1 Gary Wilson
Quarter-Closing (bo11)
Judd Trump 6-4 Shaun Murphy
Friday
Semi-Closing (bo11)
Barry Hawkins 3-6 Judd Trump
Saturday
Semi-Closing (bo11)
John Higgins 2-6 Mark Allen
Sunday
Closing (bo19)
Judd Trump 3-10 Mark Allen
Featured picture credit score: Taka G Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport