‘Drinks and a burger’ fuel Mark Allen’s Crucible comeback win over Zhang

Mark Allen staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Zhang Anda 10-6 in the first round of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre. After trailing 5-3 overnight, Allen revitalized his game with three century breaks in a six-frame streak, overturning the deficit to secure his place in the second round. The 40-year-old Northern Irishman credited a combination of “bad food” and a few drinks after a disappointing first session for helping him reset mentally and physically ahead of his resurgence. Allen, a two-time former Crucible semi-finalist and the 14th seed, struggled initially, failing to compile a break over 50 in the opening session. However, he found his rhythm on Sunday, producing a 140 clearance and a 109 break to level the match before taking the lead for the first time. Zhang, who had impressed during qualifying, appeared increasingly frustrated and made crucial errors that Allen capitalized on to extend his advantage. Allen’s final century of 129 sealed a convincing victory, contrasting sharply with his self-described “embarrassing” performance the day before. The win is significant for Allen, who expressed his ambition to become world champion, acknowledging that not winning the title would be a disappointment in his career. His comeback highlights the mental resilience required at the Crucible, where momentum can shift dramatically between sessions. Meanwhile, other notable players also advanced, including Hawkins, Williams, and Xiao Guodong. In a separate first-round match, former semi-finalist David Gilbert faced difficulties against Ding Junhui. Gilbert fell behind 7-2 after a dominant opening session by Ding and showed visible frustration, underscoring the high-pressure environment of the championship. The tournament continues to showcase intense competition as players vie for one of snooker’s most prestigious titles.