How Mark Allen fuelled his World Snooker Championship comeback against Zhang Anda - with 'bad food' and 'a few drinks'
Updated 19/04/2026 at 19:36 GMT+1
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Mark Allen has revealed how he rebounded from an ”embarrassing” start to beat Zhang Anda in the first round of the World Snooker Championship.
'This was beautifully played' - Zhang makes impressive escape against Allen
Video credit: TNT Sports
Allen failed to sink a break over 50 as he slipped to a 5-3 deficit after the first session at the Crucible on Saturday.
But he looked transformed a day later in Sheffield as he knocked in breaks of 140, 109 and 129 to win 10-6.
Zhang scored just 42 points as Allen won the last six frames in a row to progress in the World Snooker Championship.
"I played some good stuff today after what was a very embarrassing performance yesterday,” said Allen after booking his place in the second round, where he faces either Kyren Wilson or Stan Moody.
"We didn't have to play the last frame yesterday, otherwise I could have been 6-3 down instead of 5-3. Today, I only made one or two mistakes in the whole session.
"After the match yesterday, I had a few drinks. I got a burger. I just thought 'I can't play any worse than I played yesterday'. I was so down on myself that I didn’t really want to talk to anyone after that session.
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'What a dreadful mistake' - Zhang sets up Allen with massive error
Video credit: TNT Sports
"So I went and had a few drinks, watched the football, had a few bets with my mates, a bit of bad food, and I slept really well last night, and slept better today. I just felt like I’d been doing things so well, [so] to play that bad I was gutted."
Allen is bidding to win the World Championship for the first time, having twice lost in the semis in 2009 and 2023.
"I want to be world champion,” he added. ”It would be a disappointing career for me if I look back on my career and hadn’t won it. That’s why I was so frustrated yesterday.”
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'I felt like a different player' - Allen reveals turning point in first-round win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Allen hasn't reached a final since his victory at the English Open in September.
But he has been working with a personal trainer ahead of his Crucible campaign, and he is hoping an improvement in his fitness will fuel a deep run at the tournament.
"It's not just for the World Championship, I wanted to do it for myself as well," he said.
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'That's the best shot of the match' - Zhang produces stunning safety against Allen
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I felt as if I had put on a bit of weight, so I was trying hard since January to get that weight off. I made a conscious decision to get a personal trainer around a month ago. I am doing three sessions a week - it has been tough, but I have enjoyed it.
"After the sessions I've been struggling to walk to the car in the car park! Even going to practise, not being able to feel your arms and legs is a weird feeling. But it will help me in the long run."
Ding Junhui looks set to join Allen in the second round after he opened up a 7-2 lead against David Gilbert.
The match will finish on Monday morning.
How to watch and stream the World Championship
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.
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