Barry Hawkins had an intense battle against Mark Allen in the UK Championship semi-final, eventually triumphing 6-5 after a gruelling five-hour marathon. Despite being behind at 4-2 and 5-4 during the match, Hawkins managed to make a comeback and secure his spot in the final. His opponent in the final will be Judd Trump, who defeated world champion Kyren Wilson 6-2 earlier in the day.
Hawkins, who had to go through qualifying rounds and beat reigning champion Ronnie O’Sullivan on his journey to the semi-finals, started strong by winning the opening frame against Allen. However, Allen fought back and won four out of the next five frames. Hawkins managed to level the score with breaks of 57 and 84, and then went on to win the deciding frame with the only century break of the match, finishing just before 1 am.
In his post-match interview, Hawkins described the gruelling nature of the game and expressed his relief at coming out victorious. Despite not playing his best, he credited his perseverance and ability to stay focused during tough moments. Hawkins acknowledged that it was a tough battle and emphasized the importance of not beating himself up when things were not going well.
On the other hand, Judd Trump, who did not display the same dominant form as in his previous match, managed to defeat Kyren Wilson and secure his spot in the final. Trump, who has reached nine finals in ‘triple crown’ events but only won four, defended his record, stating that reaching finals and semi-finals consistently is a testament to his skill and consistency. He highlighted the significance of winning the final game and expressed his determination to clinch the prestigious trophy once again.
As Hawkins and Trump gear up to face each other in the final, fans can expect an exciting and competitive match between two experienced players. The final showdown promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the UK Championship, with both players aiming to showcase their best skills and claim victory in one of snooker’s most esteemed events.
