Antrim's Mark Allen has claimed his 12th ranking title with yet another deciding-frame victory at the BetVictor English Open in Brentwood to see off China's Zhou Yuelong 9-8.
For the fifth time in the tournament, Allen held his nerve to take the decider in what was a cagey 17th frame.
The 39-year-old started as he meant to go on, rattling in a break of 132 in the first frame to set the tone, and although Zhou took the second, Allen raced into a 5-1 lead by winning the next four.
The Chinese player stopped the rot with a visit of 81 to reduce the deficit, but he ended the afternoon session trailing by four after his opponent claimed the eighth frame following a re-rack.
Zhou clawed his way back to within three frames as the evening session got underway, but the world number 10 responded in the next to edge closer to victory.
However, it was then that the 27-year-old made his move, reeling off five successive frames, four of them with half-century with breaks, to take himself to the brink of victory.
Allen ensured that the match went to a deciding frame as he edged the 16th after a tense tactical battle, ultimately coming out on top after a nervy 17th frame from both men.
"So many guys would have given up in certain positions I was in this week," Allen said afterwards.
"I think other people know I'm not going to give up. I'm never beaten. Sometimes that's worth a frame in itself.
"I'm happy to win ugly."
