Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

Allen sees off Joyce in Cardiff

- BY NEIL GOULDING

MARK ALLEN produced a battling comeback to keep his Welsh Open title dreams alive last night.

Northern Ireland’s top potter rallied from 2-1 down to clinch a battling 4-2 win over England’s Mark Joyce at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.

And with victory the Antrim ace set up a second round showdown with either England’s Michael Holt or China’s Mei Xi Wen tomorrow.

Allen won the opening frame with a 54 break but Joyce levelled and moved ahead with an 81 run.

But Allen dug deep and won the next three frames to enhance his chances of pocketing the £70,000 first prize.

Dubliner Ken Doherty cruised into the second round with a 4-1 victory over Sean O’sullivan. The 1997 world champion compiled breaks of 52, 68, 59 and 43 to deservedly progress and earn a clash with Englishman Sam Craigie next.

World champion Mark Williams delighted the home fans with a battling 4-3 win over Kishan Hirani.

“I could easily have lost that,” Williams said. “I’m happy to get through but I’ve got to play a lot better.”

Defending champion John Higgins whitewashe­d compatriot Graeme Dott

4-0 to start his title defence in style.

Former world champion Shaun Murphy beat Adam Stefanow 4-1 while Peter Ebdon lost 4-0 to

Germany’s Lukas Kleckers.

Belfast’s Joe Swail kicks off his tournament today against Chinese potter Li Hang, while compatriot Jordan Brown faces a tough first round clash with former world champion Neil Robertson.

 ??  ?? SETBACK Wing Jacob Stockdale after 32-20 loss to English
SETBACK Wing Jacob Stockdale after 32-20 loss to English
 ??  ?? CRUISE Ken Doherty romped into second round
CRUISE Ken Doherty romped into second round
 ??  ?? BATTLE Mark Allen came from behind to progress
BATTLE Mark Allen came from behind to progress

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