'Fuming' Mark Allen thumps table in frustration but battles to win over Ding Junhui to reach quarter-finals of English Open

React to this story

Mark Allen was not at his best against Doing Junhui in the last 16 of the English Open on Thursday, but he dug deep to secure a 4-3 win. He may also be nursing a sore hand after thumping the table in frustration after a poor shot. Allen faces Elliot Slessor in the quarter-finals. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the English Open, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

'He's fuming' - Allen punches table in frustration after slack shot

Video credit: TNT Sports

Mark Allen showed all his battling qualities in beating Ding Junhui at the English Open, which he achieved on the back of punching the table in frustration.

In a match that was low on quality - Allen’s highest break was 52 - the Northern Irishman rallied from 3-0 behind to claim a 4-3 success.

Ding had chances to close out the match, but his game deteriorated as the contest progressed.

BetVictor English Open

Will O'Sullivan play 'home' event at English Open as White faces hectic schedule?

18/07/2026 at 08:38

It took all of Allen’s fighting qualities to reach the quarter-finals, as he was wrestling with his game for much of the match.

His frustrations were summed up in frame four, as he played a slack shot in potting a red.

Allen's intention was to pot a red and come cleanly off the side cushion for position on the blue, but he cannoned another red and lost position.

After seeing where the cue ball ended up, Allen walked round the table and gave it a couple of thumps with his left hand.

'He's fuming' - Allen punches table in frustration after slack shot

Video credit: TNT Sports

"He will be fuming there," said Neal Foulds on commentary for TNT Sports. "He thought he was going to miss the other red and slip past it and get up on the blue.

"His game is all about cue-ball control, similar to the man he is playing. He knows he has let himself down.

"He just thought he could pass the other red, but he’s just clipped it and the cue ball has gone off at completely the wrong angle and we saw his disappointment."

Despite the frustration, Allen won the fourth to get a foothold in the contest and took the final three frames to set up a meeting with Elliot Slessor.

Speaking after the contest, Allen agreed with Mark Selby’s earlier assessment that conditions were tough in the Brentwood Centre.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Allen said: "The first three frames I did not feel I could pot anything, it was weird.

"I tried to stay patient - I got frustrated at one point - but it did not affect my next shot and I found some form and I had to rely on some mistakes from Ding.

"It was a strange performance, and strange conditions. I am glad Mark spoke up. We talk amongst ourselves about conditions and stuff and no-one is willing to bring it to the media bar myself and one or two others, so I am glad Mark said something."

'What a shot' - Ding makes pinpoint escape from fiendish Allen snooker

Video credit: TNT Sports

Allen feels he is starting to reap the rewards of some hard work in practice and away from the table.

He said: "I have been doing lots of good stuff on the table with Chris Henry and off the table with Chris and Paul Gaffney.

"I feel like I am trending in the right direction. It did not look that way at 3-0 down, but I stayed patient and committed to the shots and am in the quarter-finals and have as good a chance as anyone."

Allen and Slessor will lock horns in the quarter-finals on Friday evening.

- - -

Watch and stream top snooker action, including the English Open, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

BetVictor English Open