The semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship begin on Thursday afternoon – Richard Mann delivers his verdict on the two blockbuster ties.
Snooker betting tips: World Championship semi-finals
2pts Mark Allen to beat Wu Yize at 13/10 (General)
Mark Allen v Wu Wize
- Thursday 19:00
- Sky Bet match odds: Allen 5/4, Wu 8/13
Thursday's second semi-final presents a real clash of styles, with the experienced, all-round excellence of MARK ALLEN coming up against wildly-talented rookie Wu Yize.
Allen has moulded himself into one of the toughest competitors in the sport, a never-say-die winner whose safety play has few peers; someone who loves to battle and scrap for every point.
His CV features 12 ranking titles in a highly-decorated career already, including the UK Championship. Having won the Masters in 2018, victory in Sheffield would see Allen complete the Triple Crown.
Wu, in contrast, is just starting out, but a maiden ranking win at the International Championship showcased his brilliant potting and break-building, and he dismantled John Higgins in the final that week.
Both men arrived in Sheffield with questions to answer. Allen admitted to having lost confidence in his game and talked about wanting to get back to his natural style of play, while Wu's all-out-attack approach threatened to come up short in the multiple-session matches when faced with tactically astute opponents.
Allen has slowly recaptured his best form, getting better as the tournament has progressed. He came from behind to beat Zhang Anda with a fabulous run to the winning line in round one, bossed Kyren Wilson in his next match, and then played wonderfully well in a high-quality affair against Barry Hawkins in which he again came from behind to win.
The Northern Irishman really does look back to his best now, seemingly finding that sweet spot between attack and defence. Crucially, Allen appears to have confidence in his game again.
With the tools required for the demands of the World Championship, Allen has always looked a good fit for this tournament, and this represents his best ever chance of becoming world champion. Moreover, the experience of two previous Crucible semi-finals will stand him in good stead.
He didn't do a lot wrong when losing to 17-15 to Mark Selby in the last four in 2021, and is adamant he is a better player five years on.
Allen seems sure to play well and at the very least make it incredibly hard for his opponent, meaning match quotes of 13/10 are attractive.
There is clearly huge potential in Wu, who displayed a different side to himself when beating Selby in round two, and his best attacking game is capable of taking down anyone.
But he'll need more than that to get the better of the rock-solid Allen, and over four sessions under such intense pressure, I'm happy to side with the underdog at the odds. (Preview by Richard Mann)
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