Awesome Allen shocks OSullivan

Mark Allen produced a superb display in the final session to seal a 13-11 win that ends Ronnie O'Sullivan's hopes of defending his world title.

O'Sullivan resumed the second-round tie 9-7 up, but an inspired Allen took the opening three frames to edge ahead.

The misfiring world number one looked to be on for a 147 maximum break in the next, but broke down on 105 to level.

After the next two frames were shared, Northern Ireland's Allen held his nerve to seal the biggest win of his career.

Allen, who will meet either Ryan Day or Nigel Bond in the quarter-finals, had heaped pressure on himself before the match by insisting he was capable of beating the three-time world champion, despite the bookmakers making him a clear underdog.

"A lot of people play Ronnie and they don't think they're capable of winning," he said after his first-round win over Martin Gould.

"I know that I'm capable of winning, it's just a matter of going out there and proving it on the day. Ronnie is favourite for many reasons, but favourites don't always win."

He lived up to his prediction, showing admirable coolness as the match reached its critical stage, and now looks to be a genuine contender to succeed O'Sullivan as world champion.

O'Sullivan certainly rated his opponent's chances of lifting the trophy in Sheffield, but he was less than impressed with his own form.

"He played brilliantly - if he keeps on playing like that he's got a great chance of winning the tournament," said O'Sullivan.

Read in full at the BBC