Mark Allen has beaten Judd Trump to reach the last four of the Northern Ireland Open, his home tournament, for the very first time.
Antrim native Allen trailed the Englishman, who was going for a fourth successive title, 3-0 before coming back in emphatic style at the Waterfront Hall to beat him 5-3.
Allen had previously never made it past the quarter-final stage of the competition.
The champion is ❌
From 3-0 down, @pistol147 becomes the first player to book his place in the semi-finals of the Northern Ireland Open with victory over Judd Trump!#NIOpen | #HomeNations pic.twitter.com/VWSqQLBDjt
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) October 15, 2021
Reacting to his win, which the crowd clearly enjoyed, Allen said the start was obviously very difficult against such a competitor but he had to hang in there.
"I had to fight for every ball today.
"I have come here to win the tournament so I am not resting on my laurels.
"I just couldn't get anything going.
"I felt like I was getting chances. I sat and had a cup of tea [at the interval] but I just hung in there.
"Once I got to 3-2 I knew it was up to me to try and capitalise and I started creating a lot of opportunities for myself.
"Normally I crumble here but I felt really good today."
Allen will face the winner of the quarter-final between Shaun Murphy and Ricky Walden for a place in the final.
"It is going to be a tough match but I am going to do my best [in the semi-final] and may the best man win."
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