Champion of Champions: Allen begins defence with win over Figueiredo
Mark Allen began the defence of his Champion of Champions title with a 4-2 win over Igor Figueiredo in his Group One semi-final in Bolton on Monday.
Despite compiling a break of 52, the world number three from Northern Ireland lost the opening frame to the World Seniors champion, but runs of 61 and 102 in frames two and three saw him move 2-1 ahead at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Brazilian Figueiredo levelled by winning the next but Allen’s second century of the match – a 107 – edged him 3-2 in front.
The two-time winner went on to win the sixth frame to secure a place in Monday night’s best-of-11-frame group final against World Championship finalist Jak Jones, who defeated Scottish Open and Welsh Open winner Gary Wilson 4-2 in the second group semi-final.
Breaks of 106 and 53 helped Jones into a 3-0 lead but Wilson replied by putting together a 120 to take frame four and reduced his deficit to one by winning the next.
A break of 132 got Welshman Jones over the line.
