Sport

Mark Allen takes 9-7 lead into final session of clash with John Higgins

The Cazoo World Snooker Championship second-round match will be played to a finish on Monday evening

Mark Allen
Mark Allen in action during the middle session of his match with John Higgins in the Cazoo World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield (Martin Rickett/PA)
By Martin McGoran

MARK Allen edged 9-7 ahead in his last-16 meeting with John Higgins in a tight encounter between the pair.

The pair had shared the eight frames of the opening session on Saturday, but, after an even start, back-to-back wins in the 11th and 12th frames put Higgins 7-5 in front.

However, number four seed Allen then took control by winning the next four frames on the bounce – which included a 94 break – to lead by two.

Stuart Bingham fended off Jack Lisowski’s comeback to also take a 9-7 lead into Monday’s session.

Bingham extended his lead to 6-3 after taking the ninth frame, but Lisowski responded by taking the next three to claw his way back into contention.

However, Bingham finished strongly to take a two-frame advantage into the final session.

Stephen Maguire completed a 13-9 win over Shaun Murphy to reach the last eight, where he will face David Gilbert. The other quarter-final already decided will see Judd Trump take on Jak Jones.