Focussed Allen can be Master

NORTHERN Irishman Mark Allen believes an improved attitude could see him win this year’s Masters crown.

The Antrim ace shocked defending champion

Ronnie O’sullivan with a stunning 6-1 victory at London’s Alexandra Palace earlier this week.

And that victory has put the world No8 within touching distance of his first ever major title.

But Allen is the first to admit he took his eye off the ball for a couple of seasons and fell off the radar.

“I’ve matured a lot as a player, but there was a time when I wasn’t working as hard as I should be – and

I’m the first to admit that,” said Allen.

“I struggled for a while and just didn’t have the motivation to work hard.

“When you don’t do that then you don’t expect to be getting good results. "But I've really knuckled down in the past few years and got my appetite back.

“I’ve always loved snooker, but the travelling has taken it out of me and I’ve suffered a bit with depression.

“But now I feel in a really good place – and I think all the hard work I’ve put in is finally starting to pay off.”

Allen takes on either John Higgins or Ryan Day in the first of this year’s semi-finals.

And another win would see the three-time ranking event winner move within one win of pocketing the £200,000 first prize, but more importantly a first major title.

“If I went my whole career without winning a major then I’d be gutted to be honest,” said Allen.

“It’s nice winning tournaments, but every play wants to win one of the majors, either the

World Championship, UK Championship or Masters.

“I’d love to win one of those during my career, it would be rubbish if I didn’t.”

Meanwhile, Judd Trump beat Shaun Murphy 6-4 yesterday to set up a semifinal against Kyren Wilson.