Mark Allen Rides Nerve-Wracking Thrills to Semi-Finals in World Championship Showdown with Hawkins
Mark Allen, known as “The Pistol,” has secured his place in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Snooker Championship after a dramatic and high-quality 13-11 victory over Barry Hawkins. This marks Allen’s third semi-final appearance at the prestigious tournament, and his first in three years. The match was an absolute spectacle, filled with brilliant snooker and intense drama from start to finish.
The two players engaged in an incredible display of skill during the second session on Tuesday evening, with neither giving an inch. Allen and Hawkins traded blows throughout the encounter, with Hawkins initially taking the lead before Allen clawed back to level the match at 8-8 after an electrifying session. But the gripping action didn’t end there, as the contest continued into Wednesday morning.
The scheduling of the quarter-finals, however, has come under criticism from Allen, who expressed frustration over the quick turnaround between sessions. Having played a high-stakes session late on Tuesday, Allen was back in action the very next morning, with Hawkins facing a similarly brutal schedule. For players like Wu Yize and Hossein Vafaei, their grueling task was even more demanding, as they had to play two back-to-back sessions on Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Despite the exhaustion, Allen held his nerve in the final moments of the match. He had to battle through a run of bad luck, notably a fluke by Hawkins on the last red, which Allen admitted had him fearing the worst. But the Northern Irishman kept his composure, sealing victory with a clinical clearance after Hawkins failed to execute a critical shot. The crucial frame saw Hawkins miss a roll-up to the pink, leaving the door open for Allen to finish the job.
While Allen praised Hawkins for playing well, he noted that a few missed opportunities proved to be the deciding factor. For Allen, it was a hard-fought win, and he was proud of his resilience, especially in light of the tougher playing conditions in the later sessions.
With his victory, Allen now stands on the cusp of potentially claiming his first World Championship title, a feat that would complete his Triple Crown—adding the World title to his 2018 Masters and 2022 UK Championship wins. A World Championship victory this year would cap off a remarkable career, solidifying his place as one of snooker’s elite players.
As Allen moves on to the semi-finals, the anticipation builds around what promises to be an unforgettable run for “The Pistol.” The next few days could very well determine whether Mark Allen completes his journey to snooker’s most coveted prize.
