Mark Allen missed a golden opportunity to reach the World Snooker Championship final after losing a gut-wrenching 17-16 semi-final decider to Wu Yize at the Crucible
BBC pundits were left utterly crestfallen after Mark Allen squandered the opportunity to win his World Snooker Championship semi-final against Wu Yize. The Northern Irishman lost 17-16 in a dramatic final-frame decider at the Crucible on Saturday evening.
The 40-year-old had a gilt-edged chance to reach the final when he took control of an error-riddled 32nd frame, needing just the black off its spot to seal a 17-15 victory. However, the pressure proved too much, and he rattled the pocket, handing Wu an unexpected lifeline to draw level at 16-16.
BBC Two then cut to their studio panel of Steve Davis, Kyren Wilson and Seema Jaswal, with all three pictured looking crushed for Allen with their heads in their hands.
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Wu went on to clinch the deciding frame to book his place in the final against Shaun Murphy. The 22-year-old will be chasing a maiden title at the Crucible and could secure back-to-back wins for China following Zhao Xintong’s triumph last year.
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Yet this year’s final could so easily have featured Allen, who was left to rue a massive missed opportunity this weekend.
Reflecting on the semi-final defeat, he said: “It’s a strange one. I just threw a quick one in.
“I was nervous, don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to hide that, but I was no more nervous than any other time in the match. I just didn’t deliver the cue properly.
“I’m absolutely devastated, but I got within one ball of being in the World Final and I’m still nowhere near my best, so I think I’ll definitely come back and win this one day, although that’s definitely a sore one right now.”
Allen also admitted he would have been less accepting of the defeat in the past, adding: “Absolutely not.
“I’d be receiving a massive fine in the post no doubt. But it is what it is.
“You say I’m speaking well, but it’s just a game of snooker. It just wasn’t meant to be.
“There’s more important things going on in life. I get to go home and see my daughter, so all good.”
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