Snooker results: Mark Allen outclasses Noppon Saengkham to reach British Open final

The Northern Irishman was at something like his best in a one-sided victory which showcased his silky touch among the balls, each of his six frames coming courtesy of a sizeable contribution.

Allen opened up with runs of 69 and 76 to stamp his mark on the match before a 133 break followed by another 69 saw him enter the interval with a 4-0 lead.

Saengkham had been limited to just six points and could add only five more in losing the fifth frame, so it was little wonder he celebrated ironically when a tidy clearance in frame six ensured he would avoid the whitewash.

Never did a shock comeback appear on the cards though as a 64 break from Allen sealed his 14th ranking final appearance.

"I’m delighted with the way I played, I was pretty much flawless for the first four frames," said Allen. "After that I kept making it tough for him and didn’t give him easy chances. I think I only missed one ball.

"I remember playing John Higgins in the (2013) World Open semi-finals, it was 2-2 at the interval and he didn’t pot a ball in the next four frames. That’s pretty much how it was today, it was nearly the perfect performance.

Allen, who lost more than four stone in weight over the summer, added: "I won’t be watching the other semi-final tonight, I’ll have a very relaxed evening and the same in the morning. I’ll do a little workout in my room and otherwise take it easy."

Had Allen tuned in he'd have seen Ryan Day and Robbie Williams engage in an altogether scrappier encounter, one Day took 6-5.

Day was 3-1 and 4-2 down but took frames seven, eight, nine and 10, before Williams ensured a fitting end to a drawn out match by forcing a deciding frame.

It went to Day after several bites of the cherry, and the winner of the 2021 Snooker Shootout will now bid for surely the most significant title of his career.

"It's a shame, neither myself or Robbie played well," admitted Day. "All you can do is stick in. Luckily for me I got a couple more chances and managed to get over the line.

"It was a massive game. It shows the importance of these matches, we're not all multi-millionaires like footballers. I was just missing balls all night. It was just embarrassing.

"I didn't have A, B, C (or) D game. All you can do is fight. To be honest, if I could concede the match now, I would. I'd go home and play golf then watch the Manchester derby with a couple of beers."