Riyadh Season Snooker Championship 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Mark Allen WINS £250k jackpot after Ronnie O’Sullivan crashes OUT
THE Riyadh Season Snooker Championship has reached a thrilling conclusion with Mark Allen winning the £250k prize.
The Northern Irishman defeated Luca Brecel 5-1 in the final after knocking out defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan earlier on in a tense semi-final.
Allen secured the £250k jackpot with the win, while Brecel picked up £125k for finishing second.
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Brecel reacts
I feel more sharp each game. This was everything I needed. Just confidence, and you only get confidence when you win.
I've played good games and now won, but this is the confidence I needed.
Luca BrecelBRECEL WINS – Williams 2-4 Brecel
BRECEL ADAVANCES INTO THE FINAL.
Williams gets away with the mistake after the brown settled in a difficult spot.
But after some back and forth Brecel finally gets the brown. The blue follows immediately after and Williams concedes.
Brecel is into the final!
Latest score – Williams 2-3 Brecel
OH DEAR! Mark Williams had potted the white! A chance for Brecel!
It's been 10 minutes since the last pot, is that about to change?
Latest score – Williams 2-3 Brecel
This frame continues to drag on as both cueists take turns on the brown ball to try and force an opening or a mistake.
If this continues, could we see a re-rack?
We look like we're on for this to be the longest frame of the tournament so far.
Latest score – Williams 2-3 Brecel
We're back at it. A swift break from Williams and he's back with a cue in his hand.
Scores remain the same at 45-46.
Latest score – Williams 2-3 Brecel
If the frame is 30 minutes long then you might need a comfort break...
That's exactly what Mark Williams has done, notifying the referee that he needs to use the facilities.
There's a pause in play until the Welshman returns. As if this match needed any more anxiety added, eh?
Latest score - Williams 2-3 Brecel
Well, we're past the 30 minute mark in this frame and there's still barely anything to separate these two world class players.
Brecel currently leads 46-45 on the table in this cagey frame.
A remainder that a Brecel victory in this frame would send him into the final.
Latest score - Williams 2-3 Brecel
Brecel remains just one frame from the final but he has his work cut out for him.
The Belgian leads 24-23 on the table as thing stand. It's a studious and slow approach from maverick potter.
This sixth frame could go either way.
Latest score – Williams 2-3 Brecel
This pair continue to put on a show - there's nothing between them.
After another chess match of a frame, it's Brecel who pots a key red to open up the colours.
Advantage to the Belgian - he's just one frame away from the final.
Latest score – Williams 2-2 Brecel
A wildly entertaining frame, as Brecel profits from a complete fluke to take a 66-10 lead.
Williams attempts to battle back, with the contest descending into a tactical battle with the Welshman needing two snookers.
Brecel plays him at his own game, forcing a snooker of his own. Williams concedes and we're back level.
Latest score – Williams 2-1 Brecel
In the blink of an eye, Williams has flipped this match on its head.
Another half-century break and a frustrated Brecel is unable to respond.
Credit: Alamy Latest score – Williams 1-1 Brecel
Some response from Williams.
The Welshman gets in early and doesn't let Brecel get back to the table.
A majestic century break and we're all square.
Latest score – Williams 0-1 Brecel
Mark Williams looks likely to take the opener by the scruff of the neck.
But a careless red on 15 opens the door for Brecel, who takes full advantage.
The Belgian takes the opening frame 89-15.
Latest score – Williams 0-0 Brecel
Luca Brecel gets us underway, with Williams thinking about a long pot red before opting for the safety.
Brecel was in fine form yesterday, while Williams saw off the World No.1.
This could be a belter.
Latest score - Williams 0-0 Brecel
Here we go then, action from Riyadh just moments away.
The players making their entrance, a place in the final of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship up for grabs.
Credit: PA
Williams vs Brecel head-to-head
These two players are no strangers and have met five times since 2017.
- Shanghai Masters, September 2023 - Brecel wins 6-4
- World Championship 2023 - Brecel wins 13-11
- China Championship 2019 - Williams wins 5-1
- England Open 2017 - Williams wins 4-1
- Riga Masters 2017 - Williams wins 4-1
Next up - Mark Williams vs Luca Brecel
A cracking first semi-final coming your way at 2pm.
Three-time world champion Mark Williams was Stephen Hendry's pick to secure the $1million prize money at this week's event.
Can he keep his cool against Luce Brecel, who is fast finding his form? We'll find out soon.
Credit: PA Day 2 results
Just in case you missed yesterday's drama, here's how the evening played out in Riyadh.
- Mark Selby 2-4 Mark Allen
- Kyren Wilson 3-4 Luca Brecel
- Judd Trump 3-4 Mark Williams
- Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-0 Ding Junhui
Credit: PA Rocket prediction
Ronnie O'Sullivan is going for gold this week in Saudi - but also has one eye on another sporting event in Riyadh.
Tyson Fury goes toe-to-toe with Oleksandr Usyk in their eagerly-awaited boxing rematch on Saturday night.
When asked for his prediction, The Rocket said: "I'm a Fury man.
"But I have massive respect for Usyk. For his professionalism, his skill level.
"I just think Tyson has probably had a better training camp. I think that may make the difference."
Credit: Getty Will to win
Veteran Mark Williams landed a huge victory over Judd Trump on Thursday night.
It sent the three-time world champion into the semi-finals after he won the deciding frame in a 4-3 triumph.
Williams said: "Judd looked very good tonight, he didn't look like missing.
"He has beaten me in a lot of deciding frame to it's nice to win one."
Credit: PA Results so far
This tournament is all about entertainment - and we've had plenty of that so far this week.
With the semi-finals underway in a matter of hours, here's a rundown of results from Riyadh.
Round 1
- M1 - Ding Junhui 4-0 Abdulraouf Saigh
- M2 - Zhang Anda 4-0 Ahmed Aseeri
Round 2
- M3 - Shaun Murphy 0-4 Ding Junhui
- M4 - Luca Brecel 4-0 Zhang Anda
Quarter-finals
- M5 - Mark Selby 2-4 Mark Allen
- M6 - Kyren Wilson 3-4 Luca Brecel
- M7 - Judd Trump 3-4 Mark Williams
- M8 - Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-0 Ding Junhui
Credit: Getty
Prize pot
The four players who have reached the semi-finals have already banked a cool £75,000 for their trouble.
With just two matches left, their paycheque could be substantially bigger by Saturday night.
Here's the remaining money up for grabs for the semi-finalists:
- Winner: £250,000
- Runner-up: £125,000
- Semi-finals: £75,000
- Golden 167 break: £792,000
Credit: Getty Final four
Just four players are left in with a chance of winning the elusive $1million for a 167 break.
Here's how the schedule looks ahead of the first match at 2pm UK.
- Mark Williams vs Luca Brecel
- Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Mark Allen
Credit: Getty No quarter
There were more scheduling problems in Riyadh on Thursday as the quarter-final match between Mark Selby and Mark Allen was delayed by an hour.
No reason was given for the stoppage, which saw the players eventually take to the table at 3pm UK time.
It followed a dramatic blackout on Wednesday, with lights failing across the venue and resulting in a lengthy enforced break.
Credit: X @WCT Big Brec
It was a huge night for Luca Brecel, who has not enjoyed a strong 2024.
The 2023 world champion looked more like his old self in a thrilling 4-3 win over Kyren Wilson.
Brecel said: "This is exactly what I need, to win these games against top players like Kyren.
"I have always been someone who can play well under pressure. Last time here I got to the final, I was really focused.
"This time it's the same, from the start I have been really up for it.
"Maybe if I was like that in every event it would be better for my career. But it's difficult to be that motivated all the time."
Credit: Getty
