World Snooker Championship 2026 - Mark Allen hits three centuries to bounce back against Zhang Anda on Day 2

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Mark Allen scored three centuries as he fought back from two frames behind to beat Zhang Anda 10-6 at the Crucible.

'What a dreadful mistake' - Zhang sets up Allen with massive error

Video credit: TNT Sports

On the second morning of the World Snooker Championship, the Northern Irishman came into the session 5-3 down after struggling for consistency the previous day.

Allen pulled level after winning two close frames, before Zhang replied as the game looked set to be a mammoth encounter.

However, English Open winner Allen then found his form with two century breaks and won six consecutive frames to book his place in the second round.

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In the session’s other match, Ding Junhui opened his championship with a formidable display, including two centuries, and leads David Gilbert 7-2.

The pair will continue their best-of-19-frames game on Monday morning, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 10-6 Zhang

Mark Allen progresses into the second round after winning five consecutive frames.

Full of confidence Allen then hits the cue ball into the pack of reds in a ‘golden chance’ to win the match.

Five reds are spaced out and the black is open to be played. The Pistol has also been playing much quicker with his confidence rising.

Allen misses a long pot on 81-11 but has done enough to win the match.

'I felt like a different player' - Allen reveals turning point in first-round win

Video credit: TNT Sports

World Championship LIVE - Allen 9-6 Zhang (7*-11)

Allen fouls early in the 16th frame as he fails to hit a red when escaping the pack of reds. Zhang replies with a red then colour.

However, he then makes a mistake which TNT Sports commentator Dominic Dale believes might be ‘his last’ and given Allen what he needs for victory.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 9-6 Zhang

Allen increases his lead with another century break.

The potting accuracy of Allen during this session has been remarkable. The two-time semi-finalist now looks full of confidence.

He looks full of confidence as he sweeps up the table. TNT Sports commentator Dave Hendon says that the pockets now seen ‘very inviting’ for Allen.

It’s a 129-0 frame for Allen and his third century of the match. Ding has increased his lead to 6-2 on the other table.

You can watch every day of the 2026 World Championship live on TNT Sports.

It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 8-6 Zhang (45*-0)

Zhang is the one struggling for fluency in the match and is punished for opening up some reds, as Allen opens his scoring in the middle pocket.

After building a break of 19 the Northern Irish player is left straight on the black and has to make a difficult positional shot to continue his momentum.

Another lovely shot as Allen sinks a blue and then the cue ball clips three reds off the pack.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 8-6 Zhang

The Pistol has hit form at the right moment with a break of 30 and secured a fourth consecutive frame.

Allen hits another ‘nicely hit red’ across the table, but he can only added one to the score in an awkward table.

Zhang knocks the jaws of the middle pocket with the cue ball and Allen adds another red then black.

Allen wins the frame 82-4.

In the other match Ding leads 5-2 over Gilbert.

You can watch every day of the 2026 World Championship live on TNT Sports.

It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 7-6 Zhang (51-4)

It’s Zhang who blinks first as he leaves a red open over the pocket. Allen capitalises with another excellent long pot and after adding six to his tally a misjudged positional shot leaves him short of options.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 7-6 Zhang (45-4)

Another ‘surprising’ mistake from Allen as he over-runs his position from the blue resulting in his break of 45 ending.

Zhang is given a gift as he returns to the table when the frame looked to be sealed by Allen.

The Norther Irish player failed to hit a red from the back of the table to concede four foul points and leaves a red open.

Zhang goes for another safety shot as both players are landing tactical blows.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 7-6 Zhang (34*-0)

The Pistol has found his groove and another long range pot across the table opens his scoring in the 14th frame.

However, after building a break of 27 the English Open winner has to go into the pack. Luck is certainly on his side as a red comes off the pocket and TNT Sports pundit Dominic Dale asks ‘how did that drop?’

World Championship LIVE - Allen 7-6 Zhang

A mistake from Zhang gives Allen the opportunity he needs to go ahead in this match.

The Northern Irish star runs out of options and finishes his initial break on 30 with a safety shot.

Both players are then guilty of missing long range pot attempts as they continue to be cautious in this pivotal frame.

Eventually the pressure tells. TNT Sports pundit Dominic Dale comments on a ‘terrible mistake’ by Zhang which leaves a red open over the pocket and an opening for Allen.

'What a dreadful mistake' - Zhang sets up Allen with massive error

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Norther Irishman confidently secures the frame before missing a routine black, but he had done enough to win the frame 70-6.

One the other table Ding is heading to a 4-2 lead over Gilbert.

You can watch every day of the 2026 World Championship live on TNT Sports.

It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

**World Championship LIVE - Allen 6-6 Zhang (26*-6)**

Allen has certainly grown in confidence during this morning session and Zhang opens the door slightly for a long pot.

However, he has to play a red using the rest and under-cut the effort resulting in the ball coming back off the pocket’s jaws.

TNT Sports pundit Dominic Dale comments how Allen then took ‘a big risk’ before missing a red across the table. Zhang fails to capitalise with an error himself under the pressure of his opponent.

The mistake allows Allen back in to build another break.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 6-6 Zhang (4-0)

The players return from their mid-session break with this match evenly balanced. This game looks destined to go into a third and decisive session, unless either player can take hold and rattle through the frames.

The average frame time is around 22 minutes, so the players might be forced to resume this evening.

Both players know this is a key frame and neither are willing to give an inch as the cue ball is wedged in the pack of reds.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 6-6 Zhang

Allen draws level in the match with a century break to finish the frame 114-14.

Allen has made the World Championship semi-final on two occasions and might have needed this close match to find his rhythm.

The former world number one has upped his pace and suddenly potting opportunities are opening up.

Allen is in a determined mood as he seals the frame, and he sends a message to Zhang by punishing his mistake.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 5-6 Zhang (6*-14)

Allen makes an early error in this frame which TNT pundit Dominic Dale believes that he would be ‘very disappointed with’.

Zhang capitalises and starts a break which looks very promising for the world number 22. However, he went into the pack off the blue and sunk the cue ball.

Allen will be grateful for that opportunity with four reds potable.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 5-6 Zhang

A first century break of this match for Allen with a pulsating clearance of 140.

The Northern Irish player even has time to joke about his weight loss as he stretches across the table to pot the final balls. Allen sent a clear message to his opponent in that frame.

Ding leads Gilbert 3-1 in the other match this morning. You can watch every day of the 2026 World Championship live on TNT Sports.

It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 4-6 Zhang (62*-0)

After watching his opponent run away with the 10th frame Allen is determined to fight straight back.

The Pistol quickly builds a break of 40 before being left short of options by the pack of reds. He uses the cue ball to break three reds off and hits a red across the table to reach his highest break of the match.

Allen is finding his stride with some good cueing and long range shots.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 4-6 Zhang

World Grand Prix finalist Zhang takes the opportunity to build a winning break in this 10th frame.

Zhang had to pot a long-range red to start the break. With several of the reds slightly broken from the pack, he seizes the opportunity to build a good score with reds and blacks.

After a break of 47 the Chinese player is forced up to the blue as he closes in on the frame with his sixth half-century of the match.

Allen can only watch on as Zhang seals the frame with a break of 74 and the frame 4-78.

On table number one Ding leads Gilbert 2-1. You can watch every day of the 2026 World Championship live on TNT Sports.

It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 4-5 Zhang (7-8*)

Zhang concedes seven points early in the frame after a red cannons onto the black and sends it in.

A mistake early in the frame by Allen with a glancing safety shot which double kisses the pack of reds. Zhang plays a safety shot which forces his opponent into an error and four penalty points.

The Chinese player then pulls out a ‘bold’ shot across to a red which he confidently sinks.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 4-5 Zhang

A pulsating first frame of this morning session sees the players locked in a tactical battle.

Eventually play opens up for Allen who looks to secure the frame with a blue, but it comes back off the pocket.

Zhang pushes the black against the bottom cushion to leave him with a much harder task in snookering Allen.

'This was beautifully played' - Zhang makes impressive escape against Allen

Video credit: TNT Sports

A shake of the head by Zhang as he continues to try everything to find a snooker with just the three balls on the table.

Eventually Allen pots the blue to secure the fame 77-50 in an epic 46-minute frame.

On table one Ding won the opening frame, but Gilbert replied to make it 1-1.

You can watch every day of the 2026 World Championship live on TNT Sports.

It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 3-5 Zhang (72*-50)

A remarkable shot by Allen who blasts the green against the middle pocket. However, luckily for the Norther Irishman the cue ball rolls safely behind the brown.

The English Open winner has another fortunate shot which rests the green against the black to put Zhang in more trouble.

Eventually Allen pots the green across the table and follows it with the brown to go 22 ahead with 18 remaining.

The opening frame of this session has already lasted over 34 minutes. However, Zhang hasn’t given up on this frame as he puts the cue ball behind the black.

TNT Sports pundit Dominic Dale labelled it ‘the best’ shot of the match, which Allen does well to escape from.

'That's the best shot of the match' - Zhang produces stunning safety against Allen

Video credit: TNT Sports

World Championship LIVE - Allen 3-5 Zhang (*65-50)

Another mistake in this first frame by Allen who leaves the red open across the table for his opponent.

Zhang needs all the colours to snatch this frame from his opponent and sinks the yellow with a powerful effort.

However, the following green is over-cut and comes straight back out. It’s an intense finish to this opening frame with both players exchanging safety shots.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 3-5 Zhang (61-42*)

The problematic reds on the bottom cushion continue to challenge both players in this frame.

Eventually Zhang breaks them up but ends his break on 32 and hands back the advantage to his opponent.

Allen regains a lead before opting against an attempt on the final red and opts for a tactical shot which puts Zhang under pressure.

The Chinese star fouls in his attempt and pots the brown. Zhang does connect with the red at the second attempt with a ‘beautifully played’ shot which also leaves Allen in trouble.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 3-5 Zhang (45-35*)

Allen looks to build a winning break in this ninth frame, but a cluster of reds are stuck on the bottom cushion.

The Northern Irishman has a break of 45 before using the rest to reach a red. He fails to get enough power on the ball in the ‘costly mistake’.

Zhang then pulls off an excellent shot potting a red then black, before the cue ball opens up a red on the cushion.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 3-5 Zhang (7*-10)

Zhang builds a break of 10 before the cue ball is stuck in an awkward position, which allows Allen back to the table.

This opening frame is an important one as Zhang looks to establish a three-frame lead and Allen hoping to rekindle his championship campaign.

Zhang almost pulls off a plant on the reds which TNT pundit Dominic Dale said would have created a ‘wonderful opportunity’.

Both players make mistakes before Allen capitalises on his opponent's error to open his account for the morning.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 3-5 Zhang (0-5*)

Not the start Allen would have wanted to this morning session as he attempts an opening red across the table which clutches the draws of the pocking and comes out.

That error gives Zhang the initiative to open the first break of the session. Yesterday, Zhang was hard to get away from the table once he got in.

World Championship LIVE - Allen 3-5 Zhang

The players are ready to walk out for the second morning session of this year’s World Championship.

Zhang is bidding to make the World Championship second round for the first time in his career. The World Grand Prix finalist is looking to improve his world number 22 ranking and knock Allen out at the first hurdle.

Zhang had to battle through the qualifiers but looks to have gathered momentum coming into the tournament.

'He makes the game look so easy' - White compares Zhang to Ronnie O'Sullivan

Video credit: TNT Sports

World Championship LIVE - Allen v Zhang

Mark Allen faces a tough task on his hands as he looks to battle back from 5-3 down against Zhang Anda in the World Snooker Championship first round.

Anda hit two centuries on his way to taking a two-frame lead into the second session decisive session between the pairing.

'Extremely well-taken' - Zhang fires home first century of 2026 World Championships

Video credit: TNT Sports

World Championship LIVE - Allen v Zhang

Good morning and welcome to TNT Sports' live coverage from Day 2 at the Crucible.

World Grand Prix finalist Zhang Anda carries a 5-3 lead into this morning’s session against 14th ranked player in the world Mark Allen. Meanwhile, Ding Junhui will start his tournament against David Gilbert on the other table.

Both matches are first to 10 frames, best-of-19. You can watch every day of the World Snooker Championship 2026 live on TNT Sports. HBO Max is the streaming home of TNT Sports. The World Snooker Championship 2026 is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

Here is the TNT Sports schedule and TV guide.