Wu Yize would likely 'need pills to sleep' after Mark Allen missed 'sitter' in thrilling World Snooker Championship semi-final

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Wu Yize said he would 'need pills to sleep' after he overcame Mark Allen in a thrilling World Snooker Championship semi-final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

'Could not write a script like this' - Allen misses match-ball black and Wu pots it to stay alive

Video credit: TNT Sports

Allen had what he described as a "sitter" of a black to win the match, but he missed and Wu took full advantage, going on to win 17-16 in an extraordinary encounter.

The Northern Irishman led 16-14, but somehow lost both the 31st and 32nd frames, before the Chinese youngster cleared with 71 to win the decider too.

The 22-year-old went through to his maiden World Snooker Championship final against Shaun Murphy, which will be live on TNT Sports and HBO Max across Sunday, May 3 and Monday, May 4.

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In coming so close to tasting defeat, Wu admitted that he did not even take his seat again when Allen had his shot for the black at 16-15, as he was preparing to shake the hand of his opponent.

”I was so nervous, I was so close to losing that match, it is the first time I have ever experienced that feeling of being so close to losing that match,” Wu told TNT Sports.

”I am very confident, my recent form has been good and also, because I didn’t have much expectation coming into the World Championship and I feel like I have been playing well, it is feeling like a reward to myself.

'I was so nervous' - Wu reacts after epic victory over Allen

Video credit: TNT Sports

”At the time, I was standing there, I did not go back to my seat because I feel like I need to give the handshake.

”And when Mark was leaning over, I was thinking that was going to be the handshake moment, I could not believe that really happened and I was shaking.

”I was feeling a bit regretful at that moment because I should have won a few frames in the last session but I lost them.

”I feel Mark will feel more regretful at this time because he was so close to winning this match.

”I am really excited, I think I might need to take some pills to help me to sleep because it was an emotional rollercoaster.”

The defeat was a particularly tough one to take for Allen after being in such a strong position to win. But Allen admits that on the day, it just wasn’t meant to be.

”It is going to hurt for a while, that one. No sugar-coating it, just didn’t handle the pressure,” the 40-year-old said.

”I had more than enough chances, I was on 45 at 16-14, obviously missed the black at the end, and then I had chances in the last as well.

”I think I was a little unlucky in the last but maybe you get what you deserve after missing the previous black.

'I just didn't handle the pressure' - Allen on missing match-ball in semi-final loss

Video credit: TNT Sports

”You have to apply yourself to every shot, even though it was an absolute sitter. I wasn’t any more nervous on that shot than I was on any other shot, I just threw in a quick one and missed it.

”Sometimes it is a bit easier to regroup after such a bad miss because you just have to say to yourself: ‘win the next frame.’

”That is what I always tell myself, no matter what the score is, I started well made a break of 45 or 47 and on another day I land one or two [reds] and do close it out, but it just wasn’t meant to be.”

Wu will now aim for a dream victory in his maiden final, while Murphy will be hoping for another Crucible crown 21 years after his first.

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