- Northern Ireland’s Allen secures first title of the season
- 37-year-old warms up for title defence
- O’Sullivan remains favourite ahead of Trump, Selby and Allen
Mark Allen secured his first title of the season with a convincing 10-3 victory over Judd Trump in the Champion of Champions final in Bolton. Allen is now fourth favourite to win the UK Championships and the Northern Irishman is in a positive frame of mind to defend his title.
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Allen hits top form in final
Taking a commanding lead of 7-2 after the afternoon session, Allen’s strong performance continued, with runs of 57 and 62 ultimately sealing the win. Despite Trump’s efforts, including a break of 77, he couldn’t match Allen’s consistency.
The 37-year-old Allen had faced challenges earlier in the season but showcased his brilliant form in this final. Notably, his three ranking tournament victories in the previous season included a remarkable comeback from 6-1 down to beat Ding Junhui in the UK Championship final.
Speaking after the victory, Allen expressed his dedication to coach Joe Shortt, who had passed away earlier in the year. He revealed feeling a bit lost after losing his close friend and coach, making this win a poignant tribute to Shortt.
Allen had previously won the Champion of Champions event in 2020, adding another significant achievement to his career. In contrast, Trump, who had a dominant season with four titles, including consecutive wins at the English Open, Wuhan Open, and Northern Ireland Open, fell short in the final.
The 34-year-old Trump, a formidable player on the circuit, was unable to replicate his success in the face of Allen’s impressive performance. This victory for Allen marks a notable highlight in the snooker season, showcasing his resilience and skill on the table.
Betting Implications
At the time of writing Allen is fourth favourite for the UK Championships, the first leg in the Triple Crown. He is currently priced at 10/1 with bet365. Trump is second favourite at 4/1 ahead of Mark Selby, 7/1 and behind favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan, 9/2.
Allen, currently ranked world number four will play his first-round match in the UK Championship on Saturday.
Trump had already won the English Open, Wuhan Open and Northern Ireland Open this season.
Allen’s victory signals a return to form following an indifferent start to the campaign which saw him battle against a technical issue in his game and struggle to reach the performance level which saw him pick up three titles and reach the semi-finals of the World Championship last season.
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