Mark Allen sank world champion Higgins at the Wembley Masters Snooker here on Wednesday to book a fight against Mark Selby in Friday's quarterfinals. Three-time world champion Higgins won the first frame in 77-53 for Allen missing an easy green ball while trailing in 53-57.
Then, the 23-year-old Allen replied with three in a row, giving the 34-year-old Higgins little time to play. After five more frames, Allen completed his first match in 6-3.
"It was definitely a good win and will help my confidence," said Allen, who believed that Higgins was off color in the match.
Mark Allen of Northern Ireland (R) competes in the Wembley Masters Snooker against three-time World champion John Higgins of Scotland at the Wembley Arena in London on Jan. 13, 2010
After the interval, Allen made a further step towards final victory with a 73-16 win in frame five. Higgins pulled one back in a tightening sixth frame. Then they repeated the results in the following two frames.
In the ninth frame, Allen sealed the win in 108-0.
Three-time World champion John Higgins of Scotland ponders in the Wembley Masters Snooker against Mark Allen of Northern Ireland at the Wembley Arena in London on Jan. 13, 2010
Allen faces Mark Selby in quarterfinals. The two met last year at the same stage with Selby edged Allen 6-5. Ryan Day achieved a sensational 6-0 win over Joe Perry to reach the quarterfinals of Wembley Masters for the first time.
"It couldn't have been much better. Joe was struggling and it's not easy when that happens in a big arena like this, you can feel embarrassed. I kept him under pressure and put enough points on the board to win," said Day
The world No. 6 Day is going to meet world No. 2 Stephen Maguire on Friday.