Match Notes:

Frame 24. Mark Allen is through. A fabulous victory by the 23 year old from Antrim. Ronnie butchered a safety shot and Alen carefully picked his way through the balls until he pumped the air with delight as he reached the winning line.

Frame 23. Mark Allen moves to within one frame of a memorable victory. Signs of nerves from O'Sullivan who missed the black off its spot when well set on 31. Allen stepped up with a nerveless 80 clearance.

Frame 22. It's level again. Allen was unlucky to go in off after Ronnie missed a red, but he left the table to O'Sullivan who duly produced a run of 67.

Frame 21. Mark Allen is showing no sign of nerves yet. Some phenominal single ball potting in that frame takes him ahead again.

Frame 20. After losing the first 3 frames, Ronnie is now attempting a maximum, 88 so far, 96, the last red is on the side rail could be a problem... 104... 2 reds left... oooh! he's missed the black. a megre 105!

Frame 19. Wow what a frame. It all came down to a respot black after Allen clawed back from behind, potting an amazing pink off the last red. After several attempts Allen nailed the long black and has now won all three frames this morning. He punched the air after winning that massive frame.

Frame 18. We've got a match on now. Allen draws level with a run of 69. O'Sullivan fluked a red but couldn't turn it into a productive visit.

Frame 17. Mark Allen gets just the start he needs. He keeps Ronnie in his chair, making 59

Frame 16. O'Sullivan runs in 64 to finish the afternoon 9-7 ahead. A very useful buffer ahead of the final session.

Frame 15. The tit for tat continues, O'Sullivan closes out the frame with 94.

Frame 14. What a cracking match this is now. Mark Allen smashes in a century to bring the scores level again.

Frame 13. O'Sullivan rattles in 93 to regain the lead.

Frame 12. Clear signs of frustration from O'Sullivan. I'm not sure if the cameras spotted that 'hand signal'. He played a poor positional shot when nicely set on 60, then let Allen back in who duly cleared up with 70 to win the frame.

Frame 11. Despite being frozen out for 2 frames, Allen bounces back in style with a ton, this time keeping Ronnie scoreless

Frame 10. This looks very ominous for Mark Allen supporters. Two visits to the table gives Ronnie the frame. He opened with 34 before losing position. Got another chance and made 46 and Allen hasn't potted a ball yet this afternoon.

Frame 9. Welcome back to the second session. O'Sullivan strolls to a century in the opening frame. He looks more focussed this afternoon.

Frame 8. Ronnie fires in a 93 break which only ended when he bounced the black off the table. So it's honours even after the first session but O'Sullivan may well be the happier with the scoreline.

Frame 7. Another miss from O'Sullivan and Allen steps in with a fabulous century break to lead 4-3.

Frame 6. Allen draws level. this match is far more low-key than many expected and O'Sullivan is far from his best so far tonight.

Frame 5. O'Sullivan missed a straightforward red on a run of 43 but he got away with and has taken the lead for the first time.

Frame 4. A run of 68 brings O'Sullivan level at the interval.

Frame 3. O'Sullivan stepeed in with a clearance form the last red after Allen rattled a long blue with 53 scored.

Frame 2. It's a great start for Mark Allen. O'Sullivan just doesn't look at the races at the moment, but of course he could spark into life at any moment and rattle in the breaks.

Frame 1. Chances for both, misses by both but Allen wins the first.

Good evening and welcome to this eagerly anticipated match. It should be an absolute belter. Play kicks off at 19.00