Allen begins defence with victory over Figueiredo

Mark Allen began the defence of his Champion of Champions title with a 4-2 win over Igor Figueiredo in his Group One semi-final in Bolton on Monday.

Despite compiling a break of 52, the world number three from Northern Ireland lost the opening frame to the World Seniors champion, but runs of 61 and 102 in frames two and three saw him move 2-1 ahead at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Brazilian Figueiredo levelled by winning the next but Allen's second century of the match - a 107 - edged him 3-2 in front.

The two-time winner went on to win the sixth frame to secure a place in Monday night's best-of-nine-frame group final against either Scottish Open and Welsh Open winner Gary Wilson or World Championship finalist Jak Jones.

"I played some good stuff in spells - one or two shots were the difference today," Allen told ITV Sport after his victory.

"The match kind of summed up my season - a lot of good stuff but a few bad shots thrown in there. I'll need to improve."

The invitational tournament sees 16 players divided into four groups of four, with the winner of each contesting the semi-finals.

The winner of Sunday's final will collect a first prize of £150,000.