Phil Haigh
Published January 12, 2026 9:44pm
Updated January 12, 2026 9:50pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
It was far from ideal Masters preparation for Mark Allen (Picture: Getty Images)
Mark Allen had a grim build-up to the Masters, concerned that he ‘might have needed to wear a nappy’ during his first round win over Mark Williams.
Food poisoning wiped out the Pistol ahead of the huge event at Alexandra Palace, meaning his practice was seriously curtailed.
However, he looked in pretty good nick as he beat Mark Williams 6-2 on Monday afternoon, while the Welsh legend really struggled.
Williams battled to 2-2 at the interval but then the Northern Irishman powered away, and was glad that he only had to play eight frames.
‘I felt comfortable which is weird because I couldn’t prepare for this at all, I was lying in bed all week with food poisoning,’ said Allen.
‘I just thought I’d go out and give it my best. I wouldn’t have had much left if that had went much closer so I’m glad I got over the line when I did.
‘I was always going to play, I just might have needed to wear a nappy for TV. It wasn’t a good week.’
Mark Williams didn’t offer much threat to Mark Allen (Picture: Getty Images)
Asked by TNT Sports what had caused the problem, he explained: ‘I wish I knew. Lying in bed one night, all of a sudden needed to go and throw up and that was me for about six hours and three days later just could hardly get out of bed. The last few days trying to prepare for this, just very, very weak.’
Even a drained Allen was too much for Williams, who was a long way from his brilliant best.
‘Just pretty poor really. I think my highest break was 35, it’s not very good,’ said the 50-year-old. ‘I’m going to get those performances more and more as my career goes on, I’ve just got to accept that.
‘I tried, even though it looked like I probably didn’t try, I tried my best but my boy had more breaks than me at the weekend in a junior comp. He’ll give me some stick, I expect.’
Mark Williams struggled to find any break-building rhythm (Picture: Getty Images)
He added: ‘I’ve accepted I can’t play as well as I used to. I might put the odd good performance in now and again but the majority is going to be like that. I’ve accepted it. It’s no problem. I’m not disappointed in the slightest, I was never in the match to be disappointed. I enjoyed the occasion, packed house, unfortunately I just played crap.’
He went still further on X, adding: ‘I think that is probably the worst I ever played as a pro tbh.’
Allen won’t care, though, who is into the quarter-finals of the Masters for an 11th time.
Career Century 687 🤯Mark Allen is back in flow state 🙌#themasters | @JohnstonesUK pic.twitter.com/R3LtVQZTlQ
— WST (@WeAreWST) January 12, 2026
‘I’m not getting carried away,’ said the 39-year-old. ’11th quarter-final but I’ve only won it once so I need to try and sort that out and this is as good a week as any to try and do that.’
The Pistol was tinkering with cues before Christmas, swapping to new equipment for a run to the Scottish Open semis, but he gave that one away to a fan and has returned to his previous option.
‘I’m good now, back to the original cue,’ he said. ‘My head went after the UK [Championship first round exit], changed cue for Scotland. I’m back to the original cue, I’m happy.’
Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew from the Masters on Friday night (Picture: Getty Images)
Allen also had a message for Ronnie O’Sullivan, surprised that the Rocket withdrew from the Masters on Friday, citing mental health reasons.
More Trending
-
Why Ronnie O'Sullivan is not playing at the Masters this year
Channel: Snooker Snooker 2 days ago By Phil Haigh - Details emerge of Shaun Murphy and Kyren Wilson's mystery Masters beef
- Wu Yize and Si Jiahui's childhood coach lifts lid on rise to snooker's elite
- Stephen Hendry savages Shaun Murphy Masters performance as Magician left baffled
‘I was very surprised,’ said Allen. ‘I practiced with him just before the UK as well. What he was saying to me was towards that he was definitely going to play here.
‘I hope whatever’s gone on, he’s ok, because the game’s better with him in it.’
The Pistol now faces either Judd Trump or Ding Junhui in the quarter-finals, while later on Monday evening Zhao Xintong beat Gary Wilson 6-2 to book a spot in the last eight against John Higgins or Barry Hawkins.
Arrow MORE: Stephen Hendry savages Shaun Murphy Masters performance as Magician left baffled
Arrow MORE: Zhao Xintong reveals pros and cons of life as snooker world champion
Arrow MORE: Details emerge of Shaun Murphy and Kyren Wilson’s mystery Masters beef
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source Football Newsletter – In The MixerPunchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro's football experts, sent straight to your inbox every week.
Team Expand Options ? Select All Select All Arsenal Arsenal Aston Villa Aston Villa Bournemouth Bournemouth Brighton Brighton Burnley Burnley Chelsea Chelsea Crystal Palace Crystal Palace Everton Everton Fulham Fulham Leeds United Leeds United Liverpool Liverpool Manchester City Manchester City Manchester United Manchester United Newcastle Newcastle Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest Sunderland Sunderland Tottenham Tottenham West Ham West Ham Wolves Wolves Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
