Mark Allen and Zhang Anda were level at 6-6 after eight completed frames in their World Snooker Championship first-round match, with play halted due to time constraints and set to resume this afternoon.
The opening session on Sunday saw only eight frames finished, as a 46-minute opening frame ate into the schedule, leaving the ninth frame unplayed before the daily cut-off.
Play restarted with Zhang taking frame 10 with a 74 break, Allen responding with a 140 clearance in frame 11 and following it up with a 109 break in frame 12 to exit the score at 6-6.
At the 15-minute mid-session interval, either player requires just four frames to win, meaning the match could conclude before the afternoon session ends at 14:30 BST.
If the match extends beyond the scheduled session, any remaining frames will be played after the evening fixtures, on the first available table.
Allen, 40, is seeking his first World Championship title after semi-final appearances in 2009 and 2023, his best results at the Crucible to date.
He became the first and only player from the island of Ireland to reach world number one at the end of the 2023/24 season, adding to his UK Championship and Masters titles.
Despite winning the English Open and Saudi Invitational last season, Allen described his form over the past 18 months in ranking events as poor, saying he has not felt at his best.
He attributed his struggles to working with too many coaches, saying his head felt muddled and that he needs to return to a more natural, instinctive style of play.
Allen said he aims to play quicker, take more shots and rely on the first option he sees, whether a pot or a safety, to rediscover his best form.
He expressed confidence in his ability to compete and win, citing his 12 ranking titles, 22 total tournament wins, two Triple Crown crowns and past world number one status.
The defending champion is Zhao Xintong, who became the first Chinese player to win the World Championship in 2025.
Why is Mark Allen struggling with his form despite recent tournament wins?
Allen said he has felt his form lacking in ranking events over the past 18 months, even though he has won tournaments, attributing the issue to over-coaching and a loss of natural instinct in his game.
What happens if the Allen-Zhang match is not finished today?
If frames remain after the afternoon session, the match will resume after the evening fixtures are completed, continuing on the first available table.
