Mark Allen has tried to play down his feud with Shaun Murphy ahead of a crunch meeting between the pair at the Masters. The two rivals will go head-to-head at the semi-final stage at Alexander Palace, having both looked in assured form this week.

Shaun Murphy crafted a magnificent 147 break as he came from behind to beat Mark Allen 6-3 and secure his place in the Masters final at Alexandra Palace.

Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy meet in the semi-finals of the Masters on Saturday after a ‘difference of opinion ’ has left the former good mates ‘not as close as we once were.’ Both players have looked good at Alexandra Palace this week, with Murphy beating Gary Wilson and Neil Robertson and Allen downing Si Jiahui and Mark Selby.

Shaun Murphy reached his third Masters final with a 6-3 win over Mark Allen, hitting a maximum break on his way to victory.