Mark Allen’s pride in Champion of Champions triumph

Having defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump in the quarter and semi-finals respectively, the 34-year-old hit four century breaks on his way to a 10-6 victory in the final.

Robertson was the defending champion and appeared set to turn the screw when he was able to level at 4-4 in the penultimate frame of the first session. But the Northern Irishman hit back with a 67 break to lead 5-4 and two more breaks of a hundred when play resumed saw the 2018 Masters champion clinch more silverware.

After a close shave in the first round against Scott Donaldson, Allen beat the top three players in the world on his way to the trophy.

“It doesn’t get much tougher than that,” Allen told ITV. “Obviously I could have got beaten in the first round by Scott Donaldson. I was a few balls away from losing that match 4-2.

“I don’t quite feel like I deserve to be here but I took full advantage by going on to win and beating world numbers one, two and three in succession to win a big tournament like this is what we play for.”

A high-class final saw Allen begin with a break of 101 before Robertson replied with an excellent 121.

The Belfast potter continued to play his own game and moved 3-1 and then 4-2 ahead thanks to a 110 break, but back-to-back centuries from Robertson levelled the scores before Allen edged back in front.

The players traded frames at the start of the evening session but, from 7-6 in front, Allen finished with a flourish, successive breaks of 119, 70 and 105 seeing him home in style and earning him £150,000 in prize money.

Robertson was gracious in defeat, saying: “Mark thoroughly deserved to win the match, he played brilliantly throughout. He has beaten some great players on the way to winning it, much like I did last year, so that will make him feel fantastic about his performances this week.”

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