Mark Allen's epic Northern Ireland Open winning streak ended by Estonia's Andres Petrov

24/10/2023 07:41

Defending champion Mark Allen was stunned in the second round of the Northern Ireland Open late on Monday night, losing 4-3 to Estonia’s Andres Petrov.

The Pistol had won the last two editions of his home event in Belfast, meaning his first round victory this year took his winning streak in Northern Ireland to 15 matches.

However, it came to a surprising end at 1.44am on Tuesday as Petrov squeezed over the line and into the last 32 on the final black of the final frame.

It was a shock result but not a memorable game in terms of quality, with just one half-century in the entire match, Petrov’s break of exactly 50 in the second frame.

Allen had the chance to avoid the upset and put the performance behind him at the death, rattling the final blue in the jaws, which allowed Petrov to pot the last three balls and pick up the biggest win of his career.

It continues a difficult start to the season for the world number four, who has managed just one quarter-final at the Wuhan Open among a string of surprisingly early exits.

He tweeted after the loss to Petrov: ‘Not to be tonight. Gave it absolutely everything but came up just short. Thanks to everyone for their support as always here in Belfast. It doesn't go unnoticed and you deserved better.

‘Back to the practice table for me. Thanks also to 32red and Omin Cues for the support.’

The victory was just the second of the season for world number 96 Petrov after he downed Sanderson Lam in the opening round of this event. He posted afterwards: ‘I. Cannot. Believe. It.’

Petrov told WST: ‘It's the best win of my career, by far. I was really lucky in the end. When I was over the last black, I was thinking “this is for my daughter and I will pot it.”

‘I hope my wife back in Estonia was sleeping and not watching because she has to wake up soon. I am so happy to get through, I can't describe what it means to me. I know I was playing the local favourite here, but I also knew there was a group of people in Estonia watching me and cheering me on, and that helped.’

The 27-year-old will now 18-year-old Xing Zihao from China in the last 32, with both having the chance to reach the last 16 of a ranking event for the first time.