Former world number one Mark Allen produced a superb potting display as he fought back from 6-4 down to beat China’s Zhang Anda 10-6 in the first round of the World Snooker Championship.
Northern Ireland’s Allen, a two-time Crucible semi-finalist, had not made a single break of 50 in Saturday’s first session but looked a different player on Sunday.
The 40-year-old produced a magnificent clearance of 140 in frame 11 to start his recovery, following that with a break of 109 in frame 12.
His third century in five frames came in frame 15 with an effort of 129 to move one away from victory, which he sealed with a break of 81 in the 16th frame.
Zhang, who has lost in the first round on all of his six Crucible appearances, scored only 42 points in the last six frames as Allen stormed into the last 16.
Allen will play either 2024 champion Kyren Wilson or 19-year-old Stan Moody in the next round.
