Mark Allen continues his bid for a place in the International Championship final on Saturday as he resumes his last four showdown with Yan Bingtao. Allen holds a 6-2 lead after the first session in the best of 17 frames contest and needs just three more to secure a place in the showpiece on Sunday. World number one Mark Selby awaits in Sunday’s final after he dismantled Martin Gould 9-3 in the other semi-final clash but Allen will not be thinking too much about coming up against the ‘Jester from Leicester’ just yet as he still has to finish the job against Bingtao.
The Chinese star is ranked as the world number 53 but looks a future top 10 player, at least, on the basis of his performances in Daqing so far. The 17-year-old has produced his best display in a ranking event at the International Championship with his march through to the semi-finals and has beaten some real top class opposition on his way to this stage. The youngster has knocked out both Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins in Daqing in convincing fashion but he may be unable to fight his way back into the semi-final given Allen holds a four-frame lead.
Bingtao is available at 13/2 to come back and claim the victory, while Allen is 7/100 to finish the job and set up a final with Selby. Allen is 7/2 to win 9-3 or 15/4 to secure a 9-4 victory, with Bingtao 80/1 to come out on top 9-6.
Snooker odds available at Dafabet.