MARK Allen ran into an inspired Ali Carter in Saturday’s semi-final of the MrQ Masters at the Alexandra Palace in London.
The Londonder included three centuries a row in his 6-3 victory over the Antrim man, which sets up a final clash with Ronnie O’Sullivan on Sunday.
Allen had taken the opening frame but after Carter levelled with a 71 break, he then fired in runs of 100, 101 and 105 to move 4-1 up. Allen replied with a century of his own and won the seventh frame too to narrow the gap to 4-3 but Carter kept his nose in front and closed out the victory in frame nine on the pink.