HENDRY’S A BELIEVER IN ANTRIM ACE

STEPHEN HENDRY believes Mark Allen can emerge from his slump in form and be a major contender at this year’s World Championships.

Hendry admits he has some sympathy for Allen after the Antrim man forfeited his game against Ali Carter at the recent World Grand Prix.

The Ulsterman conceded the frame and match after missing a yellow, despite there being 11 reds left on the table.

The 32-year-old was then knocked out of the Welsh Open at the third round, and later admitted he was mentally struggling to come to terms with his dip in form.

Seven-times World champion Hendry believes Allen still has a “level to go up” if he wants to consistently compete for major titles, but has tipped the former Masters winner to bounce back from his poor start to 2019.

“He has struggled in the last couple of tournaments. He went out quite early in Wales and he forfeited that game in Cheltenham,” Hendry said.

“Generally, I think he has improved over the last two or three years. He has become more of a competitor and danger in the major tournaments, so you see the progress.

“He is still not quite at that level of the regular favourites such as Ronnie O’sullivan, Judd Trump or Mark Selby. He definitely has a level to jump.

“But he is very close behind, but he just has a little bit to go to reach that level.”

Hendry said he can understand why Allen forfeited his match against Carter earlier this month.

“We have all gone through frustrations like that, when you’re not playing well and the table isn’t good, if you’re having one of those days,” the Scot said.

“On his day he can beat anyone in the world. His cue ball control is superb, but it is reaching semi-finals and finals tournament after tournament after tournament, that’s what you need. That consistency.”