Well done Mark! Allen wins the English Open

Antrim snooker star Mark Allen is brining home his 12th ranking title with another deciding-frame victory at the BetVictor English Open.

Collecting £100,000 and the Steve Davis Trophy for the first time, it was his first ranking title since the Players Championship in February 2024.

For the fifth time in the tournament, the local man stayed firm to take the title in the 17th frame on Sunday, beating China's Zhou Yuelong 9-8 in Brentwood.

He scored a 132 break in the first frame, and led the final 6-2 and 7-3 before Zhou fought back to win five consecutive frames and lead for the first time.

But Allen dug in to take the last two frames and win a grueling battle which lasted seven hours over two sessions.

He’d already overcome Stuart Bingham, Ding Junhui, Elliot Slessor and Jak Jones in final-frame deciders to reach the last two.

Zhou had bested former world champions Mark Williams, Luca Brecel and Mark Selby.

But the former UK Championship and Masters winner was full of praise for his opponent.

“I thought Zhou battled really hard in that second session, he played some good stuff,” he said.

“He put me under pressure, I missed a few balls and I was nervous.

“I feel for Zhou, he probably deserved that for the character he showed.”

Allen added: “So many guys would have given up in certain positions I was in this week,

“I think other people know I'm not going to give up. I'm never beaten. Sometimes that's worth a frame in itself.

“I’m happy to win ugly.”

Not to be outdone, Mark’s wife Sarah completed the Belfast City Half Marathon for charity on Sunday, raising money for the Cancer Fund for Children.