Mark Allen is set to take inspiration from the achievements of recent Crucible champions as he aims to end a difficult season on a positive note by winning a first World Snooker title.
The 39-year-old from Antrim has dropped from number one to eighth in the rankings having failed to progress beyond the semi-finals of a ranking event this season, but said he was feeling confident after his 10-6 win over Chinese qualifier Fan Zhengyi.
Kyren Wilson and Lucas Brecel both claimed their world titles in Sheffield after disappointing seasons and, having won four frames in a row to make the victory over Phan official, Allen looks to be regaining his strength at the right time.
Allen said: “It just shows that sometimes form changes. Kyren had a terrible season compared to me and still won the world title.”
“Obviously I would have preferred to come to this tournament in great shape, but if he could do it and Luca had success the year before, then why not me?”
Allen, who lost the first three frames of the match on Sunday, ended his four-frame run with breaks of 88 and 102 to turn a slim 5-4 advantage into a comfortable lead on the brink of reaching the last 16.
Fan, who Allen also beat on his only previous Crucible appearance in 2023, rallied late with breaks of 86 and 74 but it only delayed the inevitable and a break of 63 put Allen through the finish line.
Allen's next opponent is Chris Wakelin, who beat former champion Neil Robertson in a tight match on Sunday and is the only seed remaining in the top half of the draw after defeats by Wilson and last year's finalist Jack Jones.
Allen attributes his timely return to fitness to sessions with psychologist Paul Gaffney, who he says helped him return to the mental state he was in when he reached the top of the world rankings in 2023.
“I feel like I'm in a good place coming here and mentally I'm back to where I was 18 months ago,” Allen added.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
