Mark Allen started the defence of his Champion of Champions title with a 4-2 win over Igor Figueiredo in his Group One semi-final in Bolton on Monday.
Regardless of compiling a break of 52, the world quantity three from Northern Eire misplaced the opening body to the World Seniors champion, however runs of 61 and 102 in frames two and three noticed him transfer 2-1 forward on the Toughsheet Group Stadium.
Brazilian Figueiredo levelled by profitable the subsequent however Allen’s second century of the match – a 107 – edged him 3-2 in entrance.
The 2-time winner went on to win the sixth body to safe a spot in Monday evening’s best-of-nine-frame group ultimate towards World Championship finalist Jak Jones, who defeated Scottish Open and Welsh Open winner Gary Wilson 4-2 within the second group semi-final.
Breaks of 106 and 53 helped Jones right into a 3-0 lead however Wilson replied by placing collectively a 120 to take body 4 and diminished his deficit to at least one by profitable the subsequent.
A break of 132 acquired Welshman Jones over the road.