Magnificent Mark Allen claims Champion of Champions glory
Allen made four centuries on the way to victory
Mark Allen claimed glory at the 2020 Champion of Champions in Milton Keynes after defeating Neil Robertson 10-6 in the final at the Marshall Arena.
The Pistol captured the 13th title of his career and first in just under two years, having last tasted success at the 2018 Scottish Open.
He also pocketed the top prize of £150,000 – securing him his third-biggest career pay cheque as a result.
Allen, who beat Ronnie O’Sullivan and world number one Judd Trump to reach the final, added reigning champion Robertson to his list of victims in Milton Keynes; making four centuries and a further five breaks over 50 along the way.
The world number eight also avenged his 10-5 defeat at the hands of the Australian in the showpiece of the 2015 event.
Allen had won four of his previous five meetings with Robertson and drew first blood with a break of 101.
The Thunder, who overcame Ding Junhui and Mark Selby en route to the final, roared back with 121, but the Pistol responded with 55 before edging frame four on the pink to move 3-1 up.
Despite a break of 110, Allen was pegged back to 4-4 by Robertson, who had contributions of 63, 108 and 109, but the Antrim cueist crucially took the final frame of the afternoon thanks to a run of 67.
Aiming to become only the second player to successfully defend this title, two-time champion Robertson was in first with 44 in the evening. But he was ruthlessly punished for leaving a red on, as Allen cleared with 84 to pull two clear.
The next two frames were shared before the Pistol appeared on course to move 8-5 ahead after playing an outstanding development shot from pink to yellow.
However, he missed the yellow and world number three Robertson stepped in to reduce the deficit to 7-6 on the black.
Undeterred, the 2018 Masters champion quickly put that disappointment behind him and rattled in breaks of 119 and 70, before a terrific 105 under pressure secured the title.