Slessor & Higgins in Welsh Open semis but Allen out

John Higgins once again revelled at the Welsh Open with a comfortable 5-2 win over world number three Mark Allen.

The Scot has won the Welsh title five times - more than any other player - and was never behind in his quarter-final at Llandudno.

It was an off-colour performance from Northern Ireland's Allen who briefly got level at 2-2 but fell away.

And the 25-year wait for a home winner of the event continues after Dominic Dale was beaten by Elliot Slessor.

Higgins opened a two-frame lead with a 131 break and later won three in a row for a place in the last four.

He said: "I thought I played really well. The table was difficult to play on and suited my game a little better than Mark.

"I'm delighted because that's a great win for me against such a good player.

"I've always had a good time in Wales and it would be amazing to win a sixth title."

Allen, who came close to pulling out before the tournament because of a shoulder injury, rarely showed his class and made just one break over 50 in the seven frames.

He said: "I struggled today technically and with the table. I've played some half-decent stuff here this week so it's disappointing to end like that."

Higgins will next face either Gary Wilson, who beat defending champion Robert Milkins 4-0, or Anthony McGill for a place in the final.

Slessor has qualified for only his third semi-final at a ranking event after battling to a 5-3 victory over the last remaining Welshman.

Dale, the last of 15 Welsh players to start the tournament, was making his first quarter-final appearance at the Welsh Open in 20 years.

He won the opening frame with a break of 51 but Slessor replied by taking the next three with breaks of 51, 54 and an impressive 128.

However he missed an easy red after play had been paused to correct the scoreboard before edging the sixth frame that saw both players miss chances.

The game looked to be turning Dale's way as he edged the seventh frame and was setting off on a promising break in eighth but was off-cue with a black and Slessor clinched his fifth.

He will face either world champion Luca Brecel or Martin O'Donnell in Saturday's semi-final.