Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Allen has China all in hand
MARK ALLEN has revealed the extent of his troubles travelling to China.
Allen kicks off his International Championship title bid in Daqing today.
The Masters champion suffers from severe home sickness.
With fellow Antrim potter Jordan Brown now on the tour, the Pistol at least has someone to share the 24-plus hour trips.
Earlier in his playing days, Allen just shut himself away in his room, but he tries to socialise with potting pals to stop his mind wandering.
Ironically, two of Allen’s three ranking triumphs have come in China.
And the Antrim ace – who reached the final in Daqing last season – admitted: “I still struggle. I feel like I’m in a much better place mentally than I was a few years ago but I don’t enjoy being that far away from home.
“I don’t particularly enjoy parts of China. Beijing and Shanghai are very good, Guangzhou’s all right.
“But some of the places we go to are quite remote and there’s not much to do.
“It’s hard when you’re on your own so I’ve tried to socialise a lot more whilst out there.
“Things like going out for dinner or having one or two drinks, obviously noting too mad before I play, really help.
“I’ve tried getting out of my room a lot more and interacting with people but it doesn’t make it any easier being away from home.”
Allen plays Liam Highfield as he bids to clinch the £175,000 top prize.
Brown slipped to an agonising 6-4 defeat to Matthew Stevens.
He led 3-2 with a top break of 110 but it was former World Championship finalist Stevens who edged through.