Champion of Champions snooker 2023: Clinical Mark Allen punishes Jimmy White’s mistakes to reach quarter-finals

Mark Allen booked his place in the Champion of Champions quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Jimmy White.

White began the match by edging a nervy first frame to spark hopes of an upset, but Allen powered his way back and ruthlessly punished his opponent’s mistakes to seal an ultimately comfortable win.

White failed to escape a snooker five times in the first frame, and was thankful for the faintest of touches on the sixth, as Allen amassed 20 points.

He recovered well though, and a cagey opener was still well and truly alive with only the pink and black remaining on the table.

The cue ball eventually fell nicely for White to land the pink and level the score at 58-58, and he brilliantly potted the black to seal the first frame in style.

World No. 4 Allen responded brilliantly though with a break of 76 to level the scores and moved into the lead with a clearance of 84.

The Whirlwind was gifting chances to Allen, none more so than when he missed a blue to the yellow pocket.

White then tried to play a safety shot on the final red, but a complete mis-hit allowed Allen to clear up to the pink and take a 3-1 lead.

The Northern Irishman was suddenly one frame away from victory with White needing to win the next three to seal victory himself.

However, the fifth and final frame turned into a procession, as Allen was left with an open table to seal the match in dominant fashion.

He finished match on a century break of 108 – his 12th of the season – only needing to clear up to the final red to complete a comprehensive win.

Allen can now look forward to a match against either Mark Selby or Ali Carter in the last eight.