Mark Allen has hit a 147-break in his Masters quarter-final against Mark Selby.
Allen achieved perfection in the third frame of his last-eight clash against the Jester from Leicester, who could only sit on and watch as his opponent cleared up on the table. The Northern Irishman had been 2-0 down in the contest going into the third frame.
But he didn't give Selby a chance as he landed a 147 to pull it back to 2-1 in the contest. Remarkably, it is the second maximum break of the 2024 tournament and comes just days after Ding Junhui did the same thing against Ronnie O'Sullivan earlier in the week.
Allen worked hard for his 147, nailing a tricky 12th red and a superb yellow before sinking the black from a not altogether simple spot. He completed the feat with a black that was more difficult than he would have liked after losing position on the pink.
However, the Pistol's class shone through at Alexandra Palace as he swept the table to follow Ding earlier in the week. Allen punched the air with delight after he potted to the black, much to the joy of the raucous Ally Pally crowd.
The 37-year-old two-time Northern Ireland Open winner received a big hug from Selby after completing the feat. But only after Selby gave him a huge round of applause and a big pat on the side.
The nature of Allen's 147 had fans gushing amongst themselves on Twitter. The Antrim native received huge praise from fans, plenty of whom were quick to call it one of the best maximum breaks of all time.
One snooker fan wrote: "One of the most incredible 147 breaks I've ever seen! Take a bow @pistol147 Mark Allen!!!" Someone else said: "That was a sensational 147 from Mark Allen."
A third added: "Knife-edge 147 from Mark Allen! Proper, proper on the limit with every shot. Fantastic. I've watched both maximums live on TV this week - glorious." While a fourth commented: "That is one of the GREAT 147 breaks by Mark Allen."
The plaudits continued to roll in. Another fan popped up with: "Absolutely fantastic 147 by Mark Allen. A couple of recovery shots he had no right to pot. Genius stuff." Plus: "Magnificent 147 from Mark Allen, one of the best maximum breaks I’ve ever seen."
Prior to this week, The Masters had only seen three maximum breaks since 1975. Now Ding and Allen have hit two in a matter of days, as a result of which they currently stand to share the prize for a 147. There must be something in the water at Ally Pally.
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