Judd Trump and Mark Allen will contest a mouthwatering World Grand Prix final on Sunday at the Centaur in Cheltenham.
The pair comfortably emerged from their respective semi-final ties over the last couple of days.
Trump progressed to a second title decider in as many weeks thanks to 6-2 victory over Shaun Murphy in Saturday’s last-four clash.
A day earlier, Allen became the first player through to this year’s World Grand Prix final courtesy of a 6-1 drubbing of Noppon Saengkham.
While Trump is looking to immediately add to the Masters crown he captured a week ago in London, Allen is on course for a third ranking title of the campaign.
- CLICK HERE: Mark Allen claims maiden UK title
They have already encountered each other twice during the 2022/23 term, sharing one victory apiece.
Their overall head-to-head record is also close, with Allen shading it on 16 wins to Trump’s 14, and one prior draw.
This meeting represents their fourth with silverware on the line, with Trump overcoming Allen in a 10-8 success at the 2011 UK Championship final.
The latter prevailed in their subsequent two showpiece occasions, albeit they were in much smaller PTC events where matches were of a shorter length.
Sunday’s World Grand Prix final will be contested over 19 frames again, and it would not be a surprise to see it go just as close as it did in York a dozen years ago.
That being said, it may prove to be a different kind of battle to the one they enjoyed in that memorable affair when their styles revolved around making big breaks.
While Trump and Allen remain heavy scorers, they have each added an extra element of steel to their games.
- CLICK HERE: Judd Trump wins 2023 Masters
That has been highlighted by Allen’s consistency overall this season – this is his fourth appearance in a ranking event final – and by Trump’s will to outlast his opponents at the Alexandra Palace earlier in January.
There is a champion’s cheque worth £100,000 up for grabs in what is the first of three tournaments on the Duelbits series.
Live coverage is available on ITV Sport, Eurosport, and other broadcasting services around the world.
Sessions starts at 1pm and 7pm GMT.
Featured photo credit: WST
There’s no doubt both men can no longer be described as ultra attacking as they were in 2011. Allen is becoming incredibly measured in his shot selection this season.