Mark Allen defeated his friend Jordan Brown to set up a semi-final meeting with World Number one Judd Trump at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall
Ruthless Mark Allen killed best pal Jordan Brown’s dreams of becoming Northern Ireland Open champion in their blockbuster quarter-final showdown last night.
The Belfast boys have known each other 25 years and shared a warm embrace, similar to their only other professional meeting at the UK Championship in 2022, before the match.
It was world No 8 Allen who once again got the bragging rights with a 5-2 victory in their all-Antrim clash in front of a packed Waterfront Hall.
Former UK and Masters champion Allen, who also beat Irishman Aaron Hill in the previous round, is chasing a hat-trick of Alex Higgins trophies this weekend.
And he locks horns with world No 1 Judd Trump tonight, who he has beaten in their last three meetings, for a spot in tonight’s showpiece.
“I’m relieved,” admitted Allen. “I didn’t want it to go 4-3 so I’m pleased to get it over with.
“I’m gutted for Jordan, but I’m buzzing for myself because I’m here to win the tournament.
“We’re really close. We’ve known each other 26 years and I’ve seen how much he’s struggled lately.
“The crowd weren’t as loud as they have been this week. We have a lot of people in there who support both of us and I think they didn’t want to cheer for either of us.”
It has been a welcome return to form for inspired Brown, who admitted he was contemplating his future in the sport after reaching an all-time low in recent years, on home soil.
He beat world champion Zhao Xintong and man of the moment Shaun Murphy en route to a first quarter-final in almost two years.
But practice partner Allen proved a step too far in a high-quality contest.
Brown made two centuries, but Allen kept himself in the hunt for the £100,000 top prize with breaks of 101, 71, 65 and 56.
Earlier in the day, Trump maintained his hoodoo over all-time great John Higgins, who hasn’t beaten him in a ranking event for seven years, with a 5-2 win.
The Ace in the Pack is chasing a famous record-extending fifth Northern Ireland crown — and first title of the year — in the city which turned his career around.
And Trump, who has not won a trophy in 2025, said: “It’s a special event to me. The first time I won it I could feel the warmth of the support of the crowd.
“It inspires me to play well every time I come back here.
“I feel my game’s taken a forward step this tournament no matter what happens.”
Meanwhile, Jack Lisowski reached a first semi-final since this event two years ago as he ended Kyren Wilson’s title defence 5-3.
Former finalist Zhou Yuelong completed the semi-final line-up as he recovered from 53-0 down to edge Tom Ford 5-4.
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