Allen battles to win

Allen led 2-0 but was forced to recover from trailing 4-3 to win three straight frames at the Wembley Arena in ending Australian Robertson's bid to add the Masters title to the world crown he won last May.

Allen is through to a major semi-final for the sixth time in his career.

"I think it was my safety that got me through today," said Allen. "I've taken a bit of time, and started watching people who have been doing well.

"To beat the world champion and world number two when he's been playing well, suggests my game is in good shape. I would probably have said the same today if I had lost.

"I did well to close out the match.

"If I keep getting through to semi-finals, I will eventually go on to win a tournament."

Allen was born a year after Taylor beat fellow Masters winner Alex Higgins 9-8 in their all-Northern Irish final 24 years ago.

"It would be good to put my name on this title like Dennis and Alex did," said Allen. "If I can put my name alongside those two great names, it would be a great achievement for myself and for Northern Irish snooker.

"Northern Ireland is a small place, so if I could go on and put my name on the trophy as the third winner from back home, then it would be a great achievement for Northern Irish snooker." Allen, the world number 11, will face Marco Fu or Peter Ebdon in the last four.

They complete the last of the quarter-finals at Wembley Arena on Friday night.

Robertson's defeat means all top eight seeds are out of the competition.

"We both played really well," said Robertson. "I thought I could win the tournament, but credit to Mark. The two turning points in the match came when I was 3-2 up and missed a long red.

"He put two reds over the hole, but snookered me on everything. If he left me on a red, I could have gone 4-2 up, and perhaps would have pulled away.

"Then in the last frame, he missed match ball and snookered me on everything again, but fair play to him. I know you can't win a tournament without a little bit of luck.

"He played two really good frames towards the end. I felt really good today. My long potting was good. I can't really fault my performance."

Robertson did have a bit of advice for Allen before departing Wembley.

"Mark played really well today, and in my opinion he is now the favourite to win the tournament," added Robertson.

"It depends on how he plays in the role of favourite, because sometimes that can bring extra pressure.

"I remember Alan McManus reaching 30-odd semi-finals, and only winning two tournaments. Mark wants to end that run as quickly as possible.

"If he lose this one that would be seven losses..the pressure will only increase."

Allen made a flying start to the match as breaks of 63 and 69 gave him a 2-0 lead as he tried to build on his win over Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first round.

Robertson, who began the match as tournament favourite alongside Ding Junhui, contributed his own run of 69 in the third frame before a knock of 56 saw him level at 2-2 before the mid-session interval.

Robertson rolled in breaks of 47 and 50 in moving 3-2 ahead only for Allen to restore parity aided by a 46.

Robertson slammed in a magnificent early red on his way to making a 71 for a 4-3 lead, but could only look on in admiration as Allen fought back to 4-4 with a 57.

Allen pieced together a lovely break of 75 to edge 5-4 ahead before a brilliant long red gave him the platform to complete the win with a break of 69 in the tenth frame.

Allen missed a couple of attempts to pot the red he needed to finish off the match, but finally concluded matters when Robertson missed an attempted plant on a red to a top pocket.

Robertson played on for snookers, but his fate in this year’s tournament had already been sealed.