Tour Championship 2024 snooker semi-final live – Mark Williams and Mark Allen chase final meeting with Ronnie O’Sullivan – Eurosport

Fair to say, Willo is quick out of the blocks here. A third chance of the frame falls to him and surely he is going to put the opener to bed at this visit. Or go very near to it. Williams is a deceptively quick player, but has got the slow walk on already around the table. Always a good sign among the balls.

Northern Irishman Allen is a bit short of pace with a safety, and Williams pounces to float home another lovely mid-range red. But out of position again seconds later. Just the safety to follow.

And that is fabulous long red by Willo in his 65th ranking event semi-final. On the move right off the bat. Crowd already captivated by this contest. And rightly so. Two terrific players, who are bang in form. Williams can’t get pack of reds open on 24 so just a safety to follow.

What a fantastic crowd in for this second semi-final. Can’t get a pin between fans inside a venue that has really warmed to this event. A nice way to spend your Saturday afternoon. Eight frames to play this avo. Allen has won nine of the past 10 meetings between the pair, and is 12-4 clear on the career head-to-heads. Allen gets the first frame of the day up and running.

Almost ready to get the ball rolling in what should be an absolute classic between Mark Allen and Mark Williams in the Tour Championship semi-finals before a sell-out crowd in Manchester Central. The winner will be ‘rewarded’ with a match against snooker GOAT Ronnie O’Sullivan in a Super Sunday final for the £150,000 first prize. Boyz on the baize in next few minutes.

Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed he has been battling a form of the yips that have made him scared to play snooker.

The world No. 1 has had one of his best seasons in years, winning Triple Crown events at the UK Championship and The Masters as well as the World Grand Prix, Shanghai Masters and World Masters of Snooker.

As well as the five wins, he has also been absent from a host of events on account of medical grounds.

“I am just trying really hard to not get down on myself,” O’Sullivan told ITV Sport. “It is hard but I am trying to change my mindset.

“It is not easy, but maybe two weeks ago I’d have mentally thrown in the towel because I was not flowing but I just thought keep going, keep going and focus on the positives that might be around the corner.”

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