Mark Allen admitted that he was “fearing the worst” in the deciding frame when John Higgins was at the table.

Higgins had returned to top form to win the previous two frames, having trailed 5-3, and was at the table in the decider but was unable to continue his late heroics.

“It wasn’t a phenomenal contest,” Allen told the BBC. “We were both a bit edgy, but any win against John is a good win so I will take it.

“Strangely I didn’t feel too bad in the last frame because 5-3 to 5-5 I didn’t feel like I’d done much wrong.

“I missed two really tricky shots, so I was looking forward to getting a chance and when John missed that long red I was fearing the worst but I got another chance and I made the most of it.”