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Mark Allen’s wretched form at the Northern Ireland Open continued after he bowed out at the first hurdle to China’s Niu Zhuang yesterday.
Masters champion Allen was outplayed at the Waterfront, beaten 4-1 on frames by Zhuang, who was more clinical and held his nerve in a tight final frame to clinch victory.
In front of a large home crowd, all expectant of the Antrim man, who won no more than two weeks ago at the International Championship in China, Allen could only muster an 88 break in response to his sensational opponent.
Zhuang, ranked 90th in the world, rattled off breaks of 122 and 71 on his way to victory, holding off any attempts from Allen to mount a comeback in the latter stages of the match.
The first of those came in the second frame, Zhuang taking the first in relatively straightforward fashion before commanding the second with the only century break of the match.
Allen did take the third with his 88 and, in truth, wasn’t performing as badly as the scoreline suggested.
But he was to be outclassed to finish the tie, Zhuang adding that 71 break in the fourth to take him within a frame of victory and, after a ding-dong battle in the fifth frame that looked at one point to be heading in Allen’s favour, Zhuang managed to work his way to a tough victory.
The wonderkid, who at 24 is simply the next great player from China to announce himself on the world circuit, will move into the second round where he will play the winner of Hammad Miah or Basem Eltahhan, while Allen will head to the UK Championship after a week-long, and perhaps much needed, rest.
After the match, the Antrim man admitted that the pressure of the event got to him, believing that it’s now becoming a recurring theme when he’s playing in front of his home fans.
“I didn’t feel I made many mistakes and I thought I played some good snooker, but I put too much pressure on myself to do well at this tournament when I should just be trying to play snooker,” admitted the 32-year old.
“At most events you just play for yourself but here I really want to try and win for the fans. I missed a black off its spot and at this level you just can’t do that. Maybe if I’m still around in 20 years’ time it will happen for me!
“I gave it my best but I’m very, disappointed to go out of my home tournament. My form is really good and my game in general is in good shape though, so I’m going to the UK Championship with plenty of positives.”
There was to be no fairytale upset for Raymond Fry either, the fellow Antrim native eliminated 4-1 by World No.13 Luca Brecel in the first round.
Despite holding his own in the early frames, tying the match at 1-1 after the first couple, the quality of his Belgian opponent came through, much to Fry’s chagrin.
A break of 72 in the third had Brecel on the front foot, and a quality 93 break sealed the win in the fifth to send amateur Fry home with plenty of experience, but unfortunately no win.
However there was a local winner on day one as Gerard Greene whitewashed England’s Oliver Lines 4-0, racking up three half centuries on his way.
The English-born cueman, whose parents are from Belfast, posted two 51 breaks and a further break of 81 in a dominant performance that sets up a second round match-up with either Ricky Walden or Matthew Stevens.
Elsewhere at the Waterfront, it was good news for defending champion Mark Williams, who finally found some of the form that took him to victory this time last year to see off his opening round opponent, Alfie Burden, 4-2.
The Welshman hasn’t had much luck since he became World Champion back in May, but he found enough to defeat Burden, largely in part to two exquisite breaks of 91.
The win wasn’t without its drama, however, with an exasperated Williams at one point jokingly offering his cue to a member of the crowd, insinuating they could do better.
Meanwhile, Ali Carter won his first round tie to progress, however John Higgins and Barry Hawkins both lost their games.
Belfast Telegraph
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