Allen’s bid to retain title ends on opening day

SNOOKER: First round loss for champion

Mark Allen crashed out at the first hurdle in the defence of his Dafabet Masters title after losing to Luca Brecel in a final-frame decider at Alexandra Palace yesterday.

The Northern Irishman made a significant career breakthrough a year ago when he beat Kyren Wilson 10-7 in the final to claim his first Triple Crown trophy.

However, his bid for a repeat showing this year was over almost before it had begun as Brecel avenged his 6-3 defeat by Allen on his Masters debut in last year’s first round.

The Belgian racked up four halfcentury breaks and a superb 140 to dispatch the defending champion in what was an entertaining start to the 2019 tournament.

The 23-year-old started with a composed break of 75 before Allen hit back with a run of 67, only for Brecel to hit 50 in the next to lead 2-1.

Brecel took the fourth frame – the only one not to feature a half-century break – to extend his lead to 3-1, but 32-yearold Allen restored parity with breaks of 96 and 136.

However, Brecel went one better with a brilliant 140 to move 4-3 ahead before the duo traded the next three with runs of 83, 88 and 99 to force a deciding 11th frame.

But Brecel held his nerve to knock in his fourth half-century to send Allen home early and set up a second-round clash with the winner of the match between Ding Junhui and Jack Lisowski.

Allen said he was ‘very disappointed’ to give up his crown.

He said: “I’ve got no complaints. Luca played very well to beat me. I didn’t miss many pots but my long game wasn’t there today.

“I just hung in with some breaks and I just didn’t get a chance in the last. His long potting was better than mine. Luca has shown he’s a top 16 player all day long.”