Mark Allen won his third European Tour title within the past year by beating Judd Trump 4-2 in the final of the Arcaden Paul Hunter Classic in Fürth, Germany.
World number nine Allen won two European Tour titles last season and has now won the second of the current campaign, and tops the Order of Merit having been runner-up to Mark Selby at the Riga Open.
Watched by a packed crowd at the Fürth Stadthalle, Northern Ireland’s Allen collected the trophy and a cheque for 25,000 Euros after getting the better of world number six Trump.
A dramatic opening frame came down to a respotted black after Trump had missed frame-ball green, and he was made to pay as Allen took it. Trump hit back with a break of 92 before a scrappy third frame went Allen’s way for 2-1.
In the fourth, Allen had a chance to clear but missed a tough last red to a baulk corner, and Trump took advantage to level the match. Allen regained the lead after a poor safety from his opponent on the last red in the fifth. And the 28-year-old from Antrim sealed victory in the next with a fine break of 88.
“I’m glad I won this one, having been 3-0 up on Selby in the final in Riga and lost 4-3,” said the player nicknamed the Pistol. “It shows that I’m going in the right direction, having got to the last two finals.
“I’ve actually played poorly this weekend so I’m glad the final was a bit scrappy – if it had been open then Judd would have scored heavily.
“I still feel I need to get more consistent. I don’t know why I do better in the European Tour events than the main ranking events because I don’t prepare any differently.
“The crowds here are amazing, everything about the tournament reflects well on the name of Paul Hunter and the players feel proud to be a part of it.”
Earlier in the semi-finals, Trump beat Ricky Walden 4-1 while Allen edged out veteran Rod Lawler 4-3.
The 2014/15 European Tour series comprises six events across the continent, with the top 24 in the final Order or Merit to go through to the Players Championship next March to battle for the £100,000 jackpot.
The next event is the Bulgarian Open in Sofia from October 2-5.
Results (Last 16 onwards)
Last 16
Mark Selby 4-1 Liang Wenbo
Ricky Walden 4-2 Fergal O’Brien
Judd Trump 4-2 Stephen Maguire
Tian Pengfei 4-2 Ronnie O’Sullivan
Dechawat Poomjaeng 4-2 Neil Robertson
Rod Lawler 4-0 Fraser Patrick
Alan McManus 4-2 Xiao Guodong
Quarter-finals
Walden 4-3 Selby
Trump 4-3 Tian
Lawler 4-2 Poomjaeng
Allen 4-3 McManus
Semi-finals
Trump 4-1 Walden
Allen 4-3 Lawler
Final
Allen 4-2 Trump
Champion of Champions
3-9 November, Ricoh Arena, Coventry
UK Championship
25 November - 7 December, York Barbican, York
The Masters
11-18 January, Alexandra Palace, London
World Snooker Championship
18 April - 4 May, The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
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