Allen Out of Shenzhen — Absence Rolls On
Mark Allen’s empty chair on the World Snooker Tour just got another booking. The world No.13 has withdrawn from next week’s Shenzhen Open (28 September–4 October) for personal reasons, World Snooker Tour confirmed, with Ben Mertens handed a bye into the last 32 after Allen was due to face him on opening day.
It’s the latest cut in a stretch that has now wiped out Championship League, Shanghai Masters, China Open, Wuhan Open, British Open, English Open, International Championship qualifiers, and Shenzhen. Allen hasn’t played a professional frame since his Crucible semi-final loss to eventual champion Wu Yize in May. Belfast’s Northern Ireland Open (18–25 October) remains the next date against his name — whether he takes it is still open.
Leicester Final Day: Shocks and Live Fights
Meanwhile the International Championship qualifiers wind up Saturday at the Mattioli Arena. Morning session already delivered two whitewashes: Si Jiahui brushed Liu Yang 6–0, and Chang Bingyu did the same to Fergal Quinn.
Elsewhere the scoreboard was less tidy as of midday London time. Shaun Murphy trailed Zhao Hanyang 2–3; Gary Wilson led Ng On Yee 5–2; Xu Si sat 4–3 up on Xu Yichen; Joe O’Connor and Yuan Sijun were both 3–2 clear of Bai Yulu and Scott Donaldson respectively; Lyu Haotian and Mahmoud El Hareedy were locked 3–3. Those frames were still live — don’t bank the outcomes until the session settles.
Friday’s leftovers already reshaped the Nanjing field: John Higgins saw off Craig Steadman 6–2, Dylan Emery dumped Xiao Guodong 6–4, Ashley Carty edged Jack Lisowski 6–5, and Wang Xinbo beat David Gilbert 6–4. Mitchell Mann, Ross Muir and Sam Craigie also punched tickets overnight.
Afternoon session (14:30 UK) still lists Ali Carter–Anton Kazakov, Chris Wakelin–Michael Larkov, Anthony McGill–Liam Davies, plus Duane Jones (in for Allen) against Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon, Stan Moody–Panchaya Channoi and David Lilley–Reanne Evans.
USA Pool: Garcia Runs the Texas Open
Away from the baize, Roland Garcia went undefeated through eight matches at Skinny Bob’s in Round Rock to claim the 53rd Predator Texas Open 9-Ball title, beating Vitaliy Patsura 9–5 in the final for a $17,500 payday from the $45,000-added field. Shane Van Boening, Alex Pagulayan and Jeffrey De Luna were among those left behind — a clean USA-circuit headline after a busy Asian 9-ball stretch.
Where to Watch
- International Championship qualifiers (Leicester) — WST Play / local broadcast partners (HBO Max, Huya and others in selected territories)
- Shenzhen Open venue stages — 28 September–4 October, China (WST coverage TBC closer to the event)
Feature image: Historic billiards hall — Community Archives of Belleville & Hastings County / Flickr via Openverse (CC0 1.0)
