BELFAST — Home favourite Mark Allen survived a major scare at the Waterfront Hall, battling back from the brink of a first-round exit to defeat Robert Milkins 4-3 in a gripping encounter at the Northern Ireland Open.
The world number four, carrying the hopes of a passionate local crowd, found himself 3-2 down and staring down the barrel of a shock defeat. However, he dug deep to win two tense, scrappy frames, sealing the victory in a dramatic final-frame decider to book his place in the second round.
Allen, the 2021 champion, was far from his fluent best, but his trademark grit and determination were on full display. After the match, a relieved Allen admitted, "I'm just relieved to get through. It was a real battle out there from start to finish."
A Scrappy Start in Belfast
The match began in nervy fashion, with neither player able to settle into a consistent rhythm. Allen, who has spoken openly about the pressure of playing in front of his home fans, seemed to be feeling the weight of expectation. The first frame was a fragmented affair, littered with uncharacteristic errors from both competitors.
Milkins, known as "The Milkman" on tour, capitalized on Allen's slow start to take the opener. Allen responded by claiming the second to level the match, but the standard was well below what the Antrim man would have hoped for. The third frame followed a similar pattern, with Milkins edging ahead once more to take a 2-1 lead.
A key moment arrived in the fourth frame. With Milkins in amongst the balls and looking to build a commanding 3-1 lead at the mid-session interval, he missed a crucial red on a break of 48. Allen, showing his fighting spirit, stepped in with a steely 65 clearance to square the match at 2-2, much to the delight of the Belfast audience.
Milkins Turns the Screw After the Interval
Any momentum Allen gained from that clearance seemed to evaporate after the break. Milkins, a ranking event winner himself, regrouped impressively. He dominated the fifth frame, constructing a well-compiled break of 81 to move within one frame of victory at 3-2.
The pressure was now squarely on Allen's shoulders. A missed long red in the sixth frame offered Milkins a golden chance to seal the match, but the Gloucester potter could only make 22 before missing a tricky cut on a colour. Allen later reflected, "When Robert missed in the sixth, I knew I had to take that chance. It was now or never."
Allen did exactly that, crafting a vital break of 58 to force a deciding frame. The Waterfront Hall, which had been subdued, erupted as Allen potted the final pink to level the contest, setting up a grandstand finish.
A Nerve-Shredding Decider
The final frame was a tense, tactical battle that typified the entire match. Both players had opportunities but were hampered by nerves and the significance of the moment. The frame came down to the final three colours, with Allen holding a slender lead.
After a prolonged safety exchange on the blue, it was Milkins who blinked first, leaving Allen a long but makeable pot on the blue. Allen coolly sank it into the corner pocket, followed by the pink, to finally clinch a hard-fought 4-3 victory.
Analysing his performance, Allen was candid about his shortcomings but proud of his resolve. He stated, "I was poor for large parts of that match. My long potting was off, and I made too many unforced errors. But the one thing I never lacked was fight. To win like that, when you're not playing well, is sometimes more satisfying."
Analysis: Grit Over Grace for Allen
While the victory keeps Allen's hopes of a second Northern Ireland Open title alive, the performance will give him and his coaching team plenty to ponder. His game was notably lacking its usual fluency and break-building prowess. Key areas of concern included:
- Long Potting: Uncharacteristically poor, leading to fewer initial scoring opportunities.
- Safety Play: Several lapses allowed Milkins easy access to the table.
- Frame Management: The match became scrappy, which played into Milkins' hands.
However, the match also highlighted Allen's greatest strength: his mental fortitude. Where he might have folded in the past, he now finds a way to win ugly. This ability to grind out results when not at your best is the hallmark of a top competitor.
What's Next for the Pistol?
With the first-round hurdle cleared, Allen will now face Andres Petrov of Estonia in the second round. The match represents a clear opportunity for Allen to find his rhythm and build some momentum in the tournament. He will be the heavy favourite and will be desperate to produce a more commanding performance.
For Robert Milkins, it's a case of what might have been. He had the match on his cue tip but was ultimately unable to close it out against a player of Allen's calibre. He can take confidence from pushing a top-four player all the way, but the defeat will be a tough one to swallow.
In the end, the story of the night was one of survival. Mark Allen's quest for a home title continues, but this performance served as a stark reminder that the path to glory is rarely smooth. As he moves forward in the tournament, he will know that significant improvement is needed, but his heart and desire remain unquestionable.
