Inspired Mark Allen reveals who he wants to beat on his way to World Snooker Championship glory

The fixture is a rerun from two years ago when Allen defeated qualifier Fan - who was making his debut at the famous venue - 10-5 in the opening round. That match was memorably disrupted during its second session by a Just Stop Oil protestor who tried to attach themselves to the table.

Allen began this season as the world number one, but travels to Sheffield this year eighth in the standings after a largely frustrating season.

The 11-time ranking event winner and former Masters champion is currently the highest ranked player on tour who has not yet won the World Championship.

The Crucible has not yielded favourable results for the 39-year-old. In his 18 previous appearances, he has yet to make the final, which seems a bit of an anomaly for someone who has been at the top echelons of the sport for many years now.

However, Allen did reach his second World Championship semi-final two years ago.

“It was 18 years for Rory McIlroy at the Masters, it’s been 19 years for me so I’m taking inspiration”

Allen comes into this year's blue riband event inspired by the heroics of fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy who won his first Masters golf title last weekend in Augusta in dramatic circumstances via a playoff hole.

That historic victory for McIlroy completed a 'Career Grand Slam' having previously won golf's three other major titles. He became only the sixth player to achieve the feat, and the first European.

Allen was transfixed to the monumental scenes last Sunday night, posting on X to congratulate McIlroy and express his joy.

“Honestly, it was one of the maddest days of viewing I've ever had in any sport, The ups and downs and the drama!" Allen said.

“He’s nailed on to win it…then he can’t win it…then he’s definitely going to win it…then he misses the putt and he’s into the playoffs.

“You start thinking it's maybe not meant to be, but all credit to him. After Justin Rose had the perfect tee shot in the playoff hole, Rory goes and plays the entire hole perfectly and what a relief that must have felt like.”

The former UK and Masters snooker champion - who would complete a Career Triple Crown if he lifts the trophy at the Crucible - sees several similarities between his upcoming World Championship title tilt and McIlroy's efforts at the Augusta National.

“To get the monkey off his back, that's what I'm here to try and do this week, I am definitely going to try and get some inspiration from his win!

“It had been 18 years of playing at The Masters for him before he went on to win it. It’s been 19 years for me, so I am trying to bring inspiration from what Rory did.

“Ultimately, I have to go out there and perform, but it'll be great to get that monkey off my back like Rory did after so long.”

Allen wants to defeat O'Sullivan and Higgins en route to world title

Allen has joined several other top players in saying he is pleased that seven-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan will be competing at this year's Championship having not played on the professional tour since the start of January.

O'Sullivan and Allen have played each other at the Crucible twice before. Allen dethroned the reigning champion 13-11 in round two in 2009, but in 2022, O'Sullivan crushed Allen 13-4 at the same stage en route to his record-equalling seventh world crown.

However, Allen - who is in the same top half as O'Sullivan - says he would love to defeat 'The Rocket' on his way to a maiden world title.

“I think the tournaments are better when Ronnie is in it. There's a bit more attention around them, but this is the World Championships, so if Ronnie wasn't here, it would still be a great spectacle.

“But If I was to go on and win the world championships, I'd love to say that I've beat O'Sullivan along the way, so for that reason I'm happy that he is here!”

As mentioned before, Allen has not had a satisfying season, especially when you consider he won five ranking titles within 17 months between 2022 to 2024.

However, he has made several semi-finals this term - including at the UK Championship and Masters - and did defeat O'Sullivan on his way to pocketing a £250,000 top prize at the Riyadh Season Championship invitational in Saudi Arabia just before Christmas.

Allen named the world's top two ranked players Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson as the standout cueists of the campaign, but he also had kind words about John Higgins, whom Allen would like to face in this year's World Championship final.

“I think Higgins in recent months looks back to his best, although he's in the other half of the draw to me. I'd happily take a John Higgins final!

“Then obviously you've got the main protagonists like Selby and O'Sullivan, who can't be ruled out.

“There are a lot of players who will fancy their chances this year, so it's maybe good for me to come in a little under the radar!”

Please visit our 2025 World Snooker Championship tournament information centre here for details on the draw, results, format and order of play.

Mark Allen was being interviewed by Midnite Betting and Casino.

Midnite, the official UK Betting and Casino Partner of the World Snooker Championship 2025, will be giving away £25,000 for every 147 hit during the tournament as part of their Midnite Maximum campaign.

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