Allen sets up Trump final
December 11, 2011 09:25:21 UK
Mark Allen will play Judd Trump in the final of the UK Championship at the Barbican in York after beating Ricky Walden 9-7 in the semi-finals.
The 25-year-old Northern Ireland ace reached his first career ranking final the hard way, coming back from 5-3 down to lead 7-5 and then clinching the victory with a 70 break in the 16th frame.
Allen said after his success: "I've been working very hard on my game and it's now paying its due rewards.
Judd has been riding the crest of a wave at the moment and it should be a fantastic match.
Mark Allen
"I need to compete with Judd in the final. I've been waiting for a long time to have that handshake in front of the trophy - that's what you play for.
"I think I've played 50 per cent of my game this week and I'm in the final. I think my safety has got me through but if you look at my stats it's not very good. Judd has been riding the crest of a wave at the moment and it should be a fantastic match."
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Allen had beaten Adrian Gunnell, Ali Carter and Marco Fu to reach the last four and gained headlines earlier in the week for criticising snooker chief Barry Hearn.
Allen is 1.001 to win Sunday's final 10-5 while Trump can be backed at 1.001 to win the clash 10-8.
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