Mark Allen progresses to International Open semi-finals in China

Mark Allen progressed to the semi-finals of the International Open in Chengdu, China after beating Welshman Michael White 6-3 on Thursday.

World number eight Allen, 28, won five straight frames to close out the match.

White top-scored with 68 as he moved 3-1 ahead but Ulsterman Allen then reeled off five in a row helped by breaks of 84, 76, 58 and 58.

Allen's win sets up a semi-final on Saturday with Mark Williams who edged out Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-5.

Antrim man Allen is targeting his fourth final of the season having won the Paul Hunter Classic and finished runner-up at the Riga Open and Shanghai Masters.

"Even at 3-1 down I felt that if I played well I would go on to win, and I did that after the interval," Allen told World Snooker.

"Michael was unlucky because at 3-3 he had a good scoring chance but got a kick on the blue."

English players Robert Milkins and Ricky Walden will meet in Friday's first semi-final.