Mark Allen and Zhang Anda are all-square at 4-4 after a keenly contested opening session of the Johnstone’s Paint Players Championship final in Telford.
Allen will be the happier of the two, having trailed 3-0. The Pistol is gunning for his third title of the season, having already lifted silverware at the Champion of Champions and the Shoot Out earlier in the campaign.
Zhang earned his place in the title match after winning a gruelling semi-final clash with Mark Selby 6-5. That tie finished in the early hours of this morning, while Allen had the day to rest up after his win over Ali Carter on Friday night.
China’s Zhang is aiming for his second title of the campaign, having lifted maiden ranking silverware at the International Championship last year.
The session started with a tightly fought first frame, which Zhang eventually won after 37 minutes of play. He then crafted runs of 82 and 70 in the second and third frames respectively to lead 3-0. Allen pegged him back by taking the fourth to head in for the mid-session just two behind.
After play resumed, Allen took two on the bounce, including a break of 101 to draw level at 3-3. Zhang crafted a break of 64 to claim the seventh, but the last frame of the session came down to the final ball. Eventually Zhang left it near the right corner and Allen deposited it to end 4-4.
They return to play the best of 19 encounter to a conclusion from 7pm.