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Mark Allen beats Ronnie O’Sullivan in Masters quarter-finals

Seven-time champion struggling with illness suffers 6-1 defeat at Alexandra Palace

Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen during his match against Ronnie O’Sullivan. “I’m very, very happy, I scored really well,” he said after beating his opponent. Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Thu Jan 18 2018 - 19:00

Defending champion and seven-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan is out of the Masters after a magnificent 6-1 quarter-final victory for Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen at Alexandra Palace.

O’Sullivan won the first frame with a break of 75, despite calling a foul on himself as he cued over a red to attempt a difficult black.

But that was as good as it got for the world champion as Allen responded to take the second frame with a break of 65.

That was followed by breaks of 115, 85 and 81, which gave Allen a 4-1 lead.

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And breaks of 39 and 21 helped him to within one frame of victory.

Both players missed chances to take control of the seventh frame, before Allen grasped his opportunity to claim a notable scalp and his place in the semi-finals of the tournament which concludes on Sunday.

“I’m very, very happy, I scored really well,” Allen told BBC 2. “I find against Ronnie I play more aggressive because you’re going to get fewer chances.”

O’Sullivan, who has been struggling with illness, said: “He deserved his win, it was one of those things, good luck to Mark.

“From my perspective I can rest up now and get ready for my next event. I had to show up, if I was a football player I would have missed this game. I’m struggling, I don’t know if it’s a virus, I’ve had it before and it’s very difficult, I gave it a go.”

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