Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker: Luca Brecel beats Mark Allen in high-quality contest to reach final

Updated 06/03/2024 at 17:11 GMT

World champion Luca Brecel looked back to his brilliant best in a 4-2 victory over Mark Allen in the semi-finals of the inaugural Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker. The Belgian continued his fine run of recent form with breaks of 72, 71, 125 and 82 to set up a meeting with either Ronnie O'Sullivan or Judd Trump. Stream the Riyadh Season World Masters live on Eurosport and discovery+.

Brecel hits century to give ‘flashbacks of last May’

World champion Luca Brecel continued his fine form with an impressive 4-2 over Mark Allen to reach the final of Riyadh Season World Masters.

It was a high-quality contest that featured three centuries but it was the Belgian who progressed to set up a meeting with either Ronnie O'Sullivan or Judd Trump.

"I felt good," Brecel told Eurosport. "Every week I play a little bit better, starting in Wales when I got to the quarters, that was the first step and now I feel very good in myself."

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In a contrast to Tuesday’s opening game involving Allen, things started quickly, with Brecel getting among the balls and getting on the board early with a break of 72 and an average shot time of just 16.8s.

In the second frame, Allen got in first and got up to 48 but he couldn’t make it count and the door opened up for Brecel to return to the table with another big break, this time 71.

However, with 27 points on the table and a lead of 23 he couldn’t put the frame to bed, meaning Allen had a chance.

‘What a pot!’ – Brecel thumps home sensational long red

The pair traded safeties in a cautious exchange as the pace slowed, and despite fouling twice to give Allen 10 points, eventually Brecel won out to double his lead.

Finally in the third, Allen started to work through the gears as he rolled in a break of 121 to halve the deficit.

But in true champion-style, Brecel responded immediately, with a big ton of his own, rolling in 125.

Allen lands 47th century of campaign as he claims ‘important frame’

Allen wasn't cooked yet and roared back with yet another century, this time a break of 133 to once again cut the gap to one.

Brecel would not be denied, though. He needed a couple of opportunities to get over the line, but he gave further evidence that he was edging back to his best, nailing a trademark long red en route to a frame-winning contribution of 82.

"That shot in the last frame was a good example of feeling confident again," Brecel added.

"That was a tough shot and I played it perfectly. I'm very happy."

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Stream the Riyadh Season World Masters live on Eurosport and discovery+

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