Allen secures first win of season to qualify for Wuhan Open as Robertson sparkles
ByEurosport
Updated 30/07/2024 at 18:35 GMT
Mark Allen enjoyed his first win as world No. 1 on Tuesday with a 5-1 victory over women’s world champion Bai Yulu in the Wuhan Open qualifying round. The Antrim man will meet Jamie Clarke in the last 64 of the ranking event at the finals venue in October. He was joined in securing his spot in Wuhan by Hong Kong icon Marco Fu, who completed an impressive 5-1 win over world No. 23 Zhou Yuelong.Trump clinches Wuhan Open title in style with century in final frame
World No. 1 Mark Allen progressed to the last 64 of the Wuhan Open on Tuesday by completing a 5-1 win over women’s world champion Bai Yulu at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.
The Northern Irishman got his season up and running in style with breaks of 58 and 102 against Bai, who produced a fine 69 to win the fourth frame in the qualifying round.
Allen opted to miss the Championship League in Leicester before losing an epic battle 6-5 to Pang Junxu in the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters earlier this month.
He will face Welshman Jamie Clarke in the second round in China.
Former Crucible semi-finalist Marco Fu produced a vintage scoring performance to complete a 5-1 win over world No. 23 Zhou Yuelong with breaks of 64, 59, 105, and 57 too good for Zhou, who made two 50-plus breaks of his own.
There was also an impressive 5-1 win for world No. 87 Andrew Pagett in dumping talented Chinese potter Lyu Haotian.
In the afternoon session, Neil Robertson eased through with a 5-0 whitewash victory against fellow former world champion Ken Doherty that saw the Australian run in 55, 101, 91 and 80 to book his trip to China with Jack Lisowski hitting 126 in a 5-2 win against Liam Graham.
Robertson will meet Jackson Page in the last 64 after Page ran out a 5-3 winner against Lei Peifan.
Judd Trump is the defending champion at the tournament following his 10-7 win over Ali Carter in last year’s final.
His match against Antoni Kowalski has been held over to the finals venue with Ronnie O’Sullivan facing Mitchell Mann in Wuhan.
Wuhan Open latest qualifying results
Marco Fu 5-1 Zhou YuelongMark Allen 5-1 Bai YuluAndrew Pagett 5-1 Lyu Haotian Dylan Emery 5-1 Lim Kok Leong Xiao Guodong 5-1 Haydon PinheyLouis Heathcote 5-4 Thepchaiya Un-NoohNeil Robertson 5-0 Ken DohertyJack Lisowski 5-2 Liam GrahamStan Moody 5-2 Matthew StevensMark Davis 5-3 Chris Totten Jimmy Robertson 5-2 Amir SarkhoshJak Jones 5-3 Ross MuirJackson Page 5-3 Lei PeifanThe final stage of the event will be held between October 6-12 in Wuhan, live on Eurosport and discovery+.
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