ALLEN: I’LL POT BIG TROPHIES IN THE CABINET
NORTHERN Ireland’s Mark Allen knows he will become a regular major winner when he finds his best form.
The world No.3 missed out on last night’s Masters final after a 6-3 semi-final defeat to Ali Carter on Saturday.
Allen, 37, battled his way to the final four with wins over all-time greats John Higgins (inset) and Mark Selby despite not being at his brilliant best.
Last season’s UK champion has become a regular at the business end of the sport’s majors in the last couple of years, reaching at least the semi-finals in three of the last five Triple Crown events.
And Antrim ace Allen, who became the first player from the UK to make a Masters 147, said: “It shows where my game is if I’m competing for these Triple Crown events when I’m not at my best.
“That’s three semi-finals or better in the past five Triple Crown events and a lot of people would bite your hand off for that record, but I still want to improve. That’s the difference between me and some of the others. n
“I haven’t played that great in the past year or so and that’s a big positive to take because I will be dangerous when my best game comes.
“It’s frustrating because I know how well I can play. I don’t want to play how I have been this week. It’s nice knowing that’s in the locker if you need it.”
Allen wants to be regarded as Northern Ireland’s greatest ever player when he hangs up his cue.
And he knows that will only be judged on the sport’s majors, especially the World Championship, despite already being the most decorated potter from the country.
Two-time world champion Alex Higgins won five of the sport’s majors, whilst Dennis Taylor pocketed two Triple Crown titles – with one of those his famous black-ball 1985 Crucible triumph over Steve Davis.
ZRONNIE O’SULLIVAN recovered from 6-3 down to beat Ali Carter 10-7 and claim a record-extending eighth Masters title in the final late last night.
Carter looked on course for a first Triple Crown title as he opened up a 5-3 lead after the first session and immediately extended his advantage when play resumed.
O’sullivan reeled off three frames in a row to get back on level terms before Carter made his ninth century of the tournament in the 13th frame, breaking the record set by O’sullivan in 2007 and 2009.
However, Carter scored just 51 points in the last four frames as O’sullivan ruthlessly punished any mistake to win back-to-back Triple Crown events for the first time in his career following his victory in the UK Championship in December.
“I don’t know how I’ve won this tournament, to be honest with you,” O’sullivan, 48, said.