Un-Nooh Brilliance Ousts Allen

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh put on a break building masterclass and blitzed to a 5-0 win over world number three Mark Allen at the BetVictor European Masters in Nuremberg.

Victory for Un-Nooh enhances his already strong record against Northern Irishman Allen, with the Thai now leading their head-to-head standings 5-1. Next up he faces a third round clash with Englishman Ashley Carty.

Defeat for Allen ends his hopes of climbing to the world number one spot this week, which he could have achieved by winning the event. However, if World Champion Luca Brecel can make the semi-finals he will overtake current world number one Ronnie O’Sullivan.

When play got underway this morning, Un-Nooh wasted little time hunting down the finish line and needed just 58 minutes to complete the win. Un-Nooh fired in breaks of 85, 92, 128 and 81 as he won four out of the five frames to nil. He only conceded 17 points on his way to victory.

The final frame saw Un-Nooh get into prime position to mount a 147 attempt. However, he agonisingly left the 11th black over the pocket to end his run.

“Mark was a really dangerous player last season and he is number three in the world now. I just had to stay on my game, play attacking and think about winning frames in one visit. I wanted to keep him sitting in his chair and not let him on the table. He is so dangerous,” said 38-year-old Un-Nooh.

“I had a really good chance for a 147 in the last frame. I thought the black was in the pocket. I can’t imagine how it was still on the table. I was so regretful and disappointed about that last black.”

Essex cueman Zak Surety mounted an incredible fightback to beat Chinese rookie Jiang Jun 5-4, having trailed 4-0. Victory for world number 78 Surety continues his recent good form, he defeated Ryan Day to earn his place here in Nuremberg and recently scored a win against Michael White at British Open qualifying. Surety’s next opponent this week will either be James Cahill or Barry Hawkins.

Mark Selby eased to a 5-1 win over Adam Duffy to secure his place in the last 32. The Jester from Leicester compiled breaks of 78, 51 and 75 on his way to the win and will now face either Anthony Hamilton or Louis Heathcote.

David Gilbert scored a 5-1 win over 12-time Women’s World Champion Reanne Evans, while Xiao Guodong registered a 5-3 win over 2015 Crucible king Stuart Bingham.