Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Masters of all he surveys
DEFENDING champion Mark Allen hopes lightning strikes twice as the Masters gets underway tomorrow.
Lifting the famous trophy at London’s Alexandra Palace kickstarted the best year of the Northern Irish potter’s career.
And the world No 6 wants to keep is fantastic season going.
“Defending the Masters would be the ultimate achievement,” said the Antrim ace who faces Belgium’s Luca Brecel in round one.
“Last year was a great year and hopefully I can carry that on in 2019.
“I feel like a different class of player going into this year’s Masters than I did going into the event last year.
“Last year going in I felt like I was playing well but not getting the results.
“This year I go in full of confidence after some really good results and titles under my belt.
“I’ve won my first Triple Crown event and a few ranking events as well and that just helps mentally when it goes deep in big matches.
“I don’t want to speak out of turn, but I feel like I am the best snooker player that has ever come from Northern Ireland, although perhaps not the best winner yet.
“Obviously Alex Higgins and Dennis Taylor have won three world titles between them. If I want to get in the conversation, I have to win the World Championship.”