Mark Allen survives major scare in Xi'an Grand Prix snooker qualifying as Mark Selby and Ali Carter coast through

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Mark Selby, Mark Allen and Ali Carter all booked their spots in next month's Xi'an Grand Prix with qualifying wins at Leicester's Mattioli Arena on Monday. The qualifiers continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the ranking event being held between October 7-13, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Kyren Wilson defends the trophy after a 10-8 win over world No. 1 Judd Trump in the inaugural final.

'Lovely stuff' - Allen hits 135 total clearance against Wilson

Video credit: TNT Sports

Mark Allen was almost the biggest casualty on the opening day of qualifiers for the Xi'an Grand Prix at Leicester's Mattioli Arena on Monday.

The former Masters and UK champion was pushed all the way by world No. 91 Mitchell Mann, who hit back from 4-2 down with breaks of 72 and 79 to level at 4-4 before Allen finished strongly with a 73 to book his trip to China.

World No. 10 Allen never trailed in the contest, boosted by runs of 79, 54 and 66 with Mann running in a 91 in the second frame.

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The Northern Irishman will face Oliver Lines in the last 64 at the Qujiang Sports Complex next month.

Mark Selby enjoyed his day out in his home city as the four-time world champion rolled in 103, 63, 111 and 52 in a 5-0 whitewash of Gong Chenzhi to set up a second-round meeting with Mark Davis or Reanne Evans.

There was also a dominant 5-1 win for recent Shanghai Masters finalist Ali Carter over Allan Taylor with runs of 76, 55 and 69 as Ricky Walden eased past Liam Davies by the same scoreline.

Davies opened with a 109 before Walden reeled off 51, 98, 64 and 78 to secure his spot in the last 64.

Meanwhile, Scottish Open champion Lei Peifan lost 5-3 to Louis Heathcote, who produced a 135 in progressing, with Wu Yize matching that total in a 5-4 win over Florian Nuessle.

Tour rookie Yao Pengcheng also compiled a sparkling 137 run in a 5-1 dismissal of recent Crucible qualifier Zak Surety.

Qualifying for the sixth ranking event of the campaign continues in Leicester on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Shaun Murphy meets Liam Highfield on Tuesday at 14:30 UK time, as Jimmy White confronts Michael Holt.

John Higgins faces Liam Pullen in the evening session at 19:00, with Luca Brecel due to take on Sunny Akani.

Ronnie O'Sullivan will take on talented 19-year-old Ukrainian Iulian Boiko in the first round of the Xi'an Grand Prix at the finals venue in China, a ranking tournament he described as having "a beautiful atmosphere" last year.

The tournament will be staged between October 7-13, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, with Kyren Wilson defending the trophy after his 10-8 win over world No. 1 Judd Trump in the inaugural final last August.