Mark Allen missed a simple black to book his place in his first World Snooker Championship final before falling 17-16 to Wu Yize on Saturday night in one of the most dramatic last-four finishes in Crucible history.
The 40-year-old Northern Irishman had the match at his mercy when he needed only the black off its spot to wrap up a 17-15 win, but incredibly rattled the pocket. Wu seized the chance to haul level at 16-16 and then produced a nerveless 71 clearance in the decider to win 17-16.
A shell-shocked Allen told BBC Sport: “You don’t deserve to be in a world final if you’re missing balls like that. It was just pure pressure. Even though I’m devastated, I think the right person’s in the final. He’s going to win many world titles.”
Earlier, Shaun Murphy overturned a two-frame deficit in the final session to defeat John Higgins 17-15. Murphy will face Wu in the final on Sunday and Monday.
