Mark Allen took control of his last-16 clash with John Higgins at the World Championship by winning four frames in a row. Despite Higgins initially playing better and moving into a two-frame advantage early on, Allen came out attacking after the mid-session interval and finished the Sunday afternoon session stronger, leading 9-7. The two players will return on Monday to finish the match in a race to 13 frames for a place in the quarter-finals.
Higgins started the second session strong with a superb red and a break of 75 to move ahead, but missed a brown in the 10th frame, allowing Allen to draw level with a break of 54. Despite Higgins taking the 11th frame, the match became scrappy with both players struggling, but Higgins managed to maintain a two-frame lead for the first time in the match. Allen seized on a poor safety from Higgins in the 13th to craft a break of 71 and cut the gap to one frame at 7-6 before leveling the match with a break of 94 in the 14th.
After trailing by two frames earlier in the afternoon, Allen got his nose in front by winning his third frame on the bounce with a fluent 80 break. He continued his momentum by taking a break of 74 in the final frame of the afternoon to lead 9-7 overnight. Meanwhile, Stuart Bingham maintained a two-frame lead over Jack Lisowski, extending his advantage to three frames before Lisowski won three frames in a row. The two players traded frames after the interval, leaving Bingham with a 9-7 lead heading into the final session on Monday.
Throughout the match, both players had moments of brilliance and scrappiness, with Allen showing attacking prowess and Higgins demonstrating his skills in certain frames. The match remained close and intense, with both players fighting for each frame. While Higgins initially had control in certain frames, Allen’s attacking play and ability to seize opportunities allowed him to take the lead by the end of the session. The outcome of the match remained uncertain, with both players showing determination and skill in their play.
The match between Allen and Higgins showcased the competitive nature of the World Championship, with both players displaying their snooker expertise and resilience on the table. The race to 13 frames for a place in the quarter-finals added to the tension and excitement of the clash, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. As the players prepared to return on Monday to finish the match, the outcome remained uncertain, with both Allen and Higgins aiming to secure a spot in the next round of the tournament.
