Snooker stars get the ball rolling!

MARK Allen began his campaign for a second Masters title on Monday, taking on three-time world champion Mark Williams.

Allen, who scooped the title in 2018, was up against the Welshman in what was set to be the most exciting clash of the opening round at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Williams lifted the title in 1993 and 2003 and was also successful in the 2025 Xi’an Grand Prix in China.

At the time of going the Guardian going to Press, the pair were level at two frames apiece.

He started well, making 67 off his first scoring chance. It didn’t quite win him the frame as Williams had a chance to counter, but a missed black left the Welshman needing snookers and after he left a red hanging off a corner pocket he conceded the frame.

Frame two was scrappy and the players were level at 47-47 going to the colours. It was Williams who took it, though, potting a superb long yellow and add green, brown and blue.

And local snooker players have been in action elsewhere.

Qualifiers for the German Masters and Welsh Open took place in Sheffield last week.

2021 Welsh Open champ Jordan Brown, currently ranked 64 and with his tour card at risk, won’t be winning it in 2026 after he lost 4-1 to Gao Yang of China.

However he beat Bulcsu Revesz of Hungary 5-3 to progress to the final stages of the German Masters.

His first opponent when the competition opens in Berlin later this month will be China’s Wu Yize, who knocked defending champion Shaun Murphy out of the Masters on Sunday.

Robbie McGuigan, currently ranked 90th and hoping to keep a spot on the Main Tour for the third year, won’t make it to Berlin, having lost 5-2 to Oliver Lines after a 5-0 win over women’s world number one Mink Nutcharut.

But he did beat world number 41 Daniel Wells 4-1 to reach the last 64 of the Welsh Open, which will continue at the end of February.

McGuigan (21) earned a two-year card by winning the European Amateur Championships in February 2024.

He’s hoping to finish the season strong after earning a reputation as a ‘giant-killer’, besting opponents with many more years experience, playing alongside and learning from the best in the business during his time on the Tour.