Mark Allen is still in contention to dethrone Ronnie O’Sullivan from the top of the world rankings after a 4-1 defeat of Anthony McGill, but World Champion Luca Brecel’s chances of reaching pole position ended on day one of the Cazoo British Open in Cheltenham.
World number three Allen was Player of the Year last season after winning three ranking titles, including the UK Championship. Following O’Sullivan pulling out of this week’s event, Allen now knows he needs to win the tournament to become world number one.
Next up Allen faces a tough assignment against world number eight Kyren Wilson in what is a repeat of the 2018 Masters final, which Allen won. Wilson earned his progression thanks to a 4-1 defeat of Martin O’Donnell.
It was McGill who claimed the opener this afternoon, before Allen took control. Breaks of 57, 81 and 94 moved the Northern Irishman 3-1 ahead and he took a 41-minute fifth to get over the line.
“It would tick a box as one of my career goals is to get to world number one. I’ve got a long way to go before I start thinking about that. There are a lot of matches ahead of me. If I was in the final here on Sunday, it might be bittersweet to do it without Ronnie in the event,” said 37-year-old Allen.
“It was a horrible draw for Luca playing Ding in round one here. It doesn’t get much tougher than that. He is another one that I’m sure at some point this season will get to world number one. I hope that we have a back and forth battle and go for it between us and Ronnie. It is up to us to stamp our authority on that world number one spot.”
Brecel faced a blockbuster clash with China’s Ding Junhui, knowing he just had to win two matches to put himself in line for the world number one spot.
Ding had led 3-0, but Crucible king Brecel came roaring back to force a decider. However, it was the 14-time ranking event winner who took it to win 4-3 and end Brecel’s ambitions of topping the rankings.
Australia’s 23-time ranking event winner Neil Robertson is searching a first individual in over a year, but he got off to a strong start this week with a 4-1 defeat of Welshman Jamie Clarke. Robertson fired in breaks of 55, 77, 50 and 70 on his way to victory this afternoon and now faces Si Jiahui tomorrow.
Judd Trump survived a scare to beat Anton Kazakov 4-2. The Ukrainian crafted a fine break of 86 to take the opener and then claimed the second to secure a surprise 2-0 lead. However, Trump made contributions of 67, 67 and 116 on his way to turning the tie around and emerging victorious.
Defending champion Ryan Day whitewashed Sean O’Sullivan 4-0 to book his progression, while four-time World Champion Mark Selby beat fellow Leicester cueman Ben Woollaston 4-2.
Shaun Murphy beat Rebecca Kenna 4-1 to set up a mouthwatering clash with Jack Lisowski in the last 64. Lisowski defeated Joe O’Connor 4-3 to make it through.
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