Mark Allen has spoken of his devastation following a crushing World Championship semi-final defeat to Wu Yize at the Crucible, with the Northern Irishman squandering a golden opportunity to reach his maiden world final.
Leading 16-14 in the race to 17 frames, Allen appeared certain to book his place in the showpiece event after sinking the pink in the penultimate frame.
However, with only a routine black ball on the spot standing between him and glory, the pressure proved too much as he narrowly failed to convert the shot.
His Chinese opponent pounced on the lifeline, taking the decider to set up a final clash with Shaun Murphy.
Speaking immediately after the match, Allen was brutally honest about his failure to close out the contest.
“You don’t deserve to be in a world final if you are missing a ball like that, it’s just pure pressure,” he said.
“I had two or three good chances to close out the match but didn’t do it.”
Mark Allen has spoken of his devastation following a crushing World Championship semi-final defeat to Wu Yize at the Crucible, with the Northern Irishman squandering a golden opportunity to reach his maiden world final
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PA
Despite his anguish, the 39-year-old was gracious in defeat, offering warm words for his conqueror.
“Even though I’m devastated to lose that match, I think the right person is in the world final,” Allen added.
“All credit to Wu, if he doesn’t win it this time, he is going to win world titles in future.”
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The heartbreak marks Allen’s third semi-final exit at snooker’s most prestigious venue, adding to a painful catalogue of near-misses at the Crucible.
That missed black on the spot will surely haunt him for some time, representing perhaps his best chance yet to reach the final.
In the crucial 33rd frame, Wu demonstrated the composure that had eluded his opponent, seizing the moment when it mattered most.
The 22-year-old Chinese player showed remarkable nerve to capitalise on Allen’s error, turning what seemed a certain defeat into an unlikely victory that propels him into tomorrow’s final.
Wu himself acknowledged the fortune that had swung his way in the closing stages.
Wu Yize will now face Shaun Murphy in the final of the World Snooker Championship
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PA
“I feel sorry for Mark. I was losing the match but I was able to catch the opportunity,” he said.
The young Chinese star will now face Murphy, who claimed the world title back in 2005, in a final that begins today and concludes on Monday.
Victory would see Wu emulate his compatriot Zhao Xintong, who made history 12 months ago by becoming the first Chinese player to lift snooker’s most coveted trophy.
How things play out remains to be seen.
