Mark Allen defeated Zhang Anda 10-8 in the Players Championship final, which was an intense match. The Northern Ireland player overcame a 3-0 deficit after more than seven hours of play to win his 11th ranking title.
Allen qualified for the final with Zhang after defeating Mark Williams, Gary Wilson, and Ali Carter. By maintaining his composure in the last few frames, he was able to add the Champion of Champions and Snooker Shoot Out titles to his collection this season.
However, there was a funny scene as the “Pistol” went to pick up his award for winning the competition. As the tournament officials thanked him and gave him the winner’s medal, Allen rushed to give them a hug.
The 2024 champion had to pick up the medal himself after it fell to the ground when it was being lifted to go around Allen. He laughed with the tournament director, finding the scenario amusing, until he was made to hold the medal instead of having it around his neck.
Allen left Telford with a tidy £125,000, securing his spot as the third-ranked player in the world. This is the second season in a row that he has won three titles. If he maintains this excellent form before the World Championship, he is ready to win first place at the end of the season.
After his most recent victory, Allen thought back on a match for snooker purists and was happy with his victory even though he wasn’t playing at his best. “I don’t know if I have much left in me,” Allen said to Eurosport. “I gave it everything I had, and my safety kept me in the game.” Even though I didn’t have much fun participating in it, I’m thrilled to be the winner and stand here.
