Haikou World Open: Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby to contest final
Shaun Murphy dashed Mark Allen's hopes of winning three straight Haikou World Open titles with a 6-4 semi-final victory.
Last Updated: 15/03/14 5:54pm
Northern Irishman Allen has a real liking for the Chinese event and had serenely made his way through to the last four, prompting thoughts of a third title in as many years.
But 2005 world champion Murphy blocked his path, edging a close battle to set-up a final date with Mark Selby.
Selby saw off Marco Fu in the earlier last-four clash, meaning Murphy has a chance to avenge his 6-1 drubbing by his good friend in January's Masters.
Fightback
Murphy had to pull out all the stops against an in-form Allen but, after beating Graeme Dott on a fluked black on Friday, looked in the mood to enjoy himself.
He went 1-0 up and, despite being pegged back, knocked in scores of 74 and 69 to go clear at 3-1.
Allen hit back with a 57 but 67 from Murphy put him close to glory. The next two frames were shared and when Allen slammed in a hundred to make it 5-4.
Murphy held his nerve, though, and got over the line.
Earlier in the day, Selby held off a spirited Fu fightback to book his place in the showpiece.
The Leicester cueman led 5-1 only to be pegged back to 5-4 by Fu, before clearing from the last red to the back to win under real pressure.
World number two Selby was never really at his best throughout, with a high break of 74 the highlight as he slugged out to 5-1 ahead.
Fu then found some fluency to come back, with a 104 making it 5-4. Selby is a master of the pressure situation, though, and got the job done.
