Mark Allen has tried to play down his feud with Shaun Murphy ahead of a crunch meeting between the pair at the Masters. The two rivals will go head-to-head at the semi-final stage at Alexander Palace, having both looked in assured form this week.

Shaun Murphy hailed one of the greatest moments of his career after he produced a maximum 147 break in his Masters semi final win over Mark Allen. The former world champion came close to achieving the feat in the previous round against Neil Robertson but managed to snooker himself behind the blue attempting to get up to the yellow.

Shaun Murphy makes 147 to help seal win over Mark Allen and reach Masters final - Murphy, who had missed a maximum chance earlier in the tournament, completed only the sixth perfect break in the history of the Masters.

Shaun Murphy completed a 147 break in his Masters semifinal against Mark Allen at Alexandra Palace on Saturday.

Some more solid scoring and safety play from the Northern Irishmanextended his lead before Murphy won the third framewith a break of 66. A long red helped set Murphy, the 2015 champion, on his way to a run of 83 as he levelled the match at 2-2 at the mid-session interval.

Follow Eurosport's live coverage of the semi-finals of the Masters as first Mark Allen plays Shaun Murphy then Judd Trump faces Kyren Wilson.

Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy meet in the semi-finals of the Masters on Saturday after a ‘difference of opinion ’ has left the former good mates ‘not as close as we once were.’ Both players have looked good at Alexandra Palace this week, with Murphy beating Gary Wilson and Neil Robertson and Allen downing Si Jiahui and Mark Selby.

We've reached the final four stage of the Masters and there is a grudge match to start off with Mark Allen taking on Shaun Murphy. Both players are chasing the title for the second time, but there is added spice to the occasion with the two former friends now seemingly at odds with each other.

Shaun Murphy crafted a magnificent 147 break as he came from behind to lead his Masters semi-final 4-2 against Mark Allen at Alexandra Palace.

Shaun Murphy compiles only the sixth 147 maximum break in the history of the Masters, in his semi-final against Mark Allen.