Impressive Allen recovers to beat Zhang at Crucible

Mark Allen, the former world number one, delivered an exceptional performance at the World Snooker Championship as he turned around a 6-4 deficit to overcome China’s Zhang Anda with a 10-6 victory in the opening round. The Northern Irish player, who had previously reached the Crucible semi-finals twice, showed marked improvement after a challenging start.

Allen struggled to reach 50 in the early stages of Saturday’s session but shifted gears on Sunday. His revival began with a stunning 140 break in frame 11, followed by a 109 in frame 12. The 40-year-old then added a 129 century in frame 15 to close the gap, securing a 10-6 win with an 81 in the final frame.

Zhang Anda, whose Crucible appearances have all ended in first-round exits, could only manage 42 points in the last six frames as Allen surged ahead. This result advances the Northern Irish player to the last 16, where he will face either 2024 champion Kyren Wilson or 19-year-old Stan Moody.

Key Moments in the Match

Allen’s turnaround was pivotal, with three consecutive high breaks propelling him toward victory. His 140 clearance in frame 11 marked the start of his dominance, while the 129 in frame 15 proved decisive. The final frame’s 81 confirmed his place in the next round.

Despite Zhang’s efforts, the Chinese player couldn’t maintain consistency, finishing with just 42 in the later stages. This underlines Allen’s ability to adapt and perform under pressure, a trait that has seen him reach the Crucible semi-finals in 2009 and 2023.