UK Championship 2023 snooker recap – Jamie Clarke stuns Kyren Wilson after Ding Junhui ends Mark Allen's title defence

ByDesmond Kane

Updated 26/11/2023 at 00:11 GMT

Welcome to live coverage from the UK Championship at the York Barbican as defending champion Mark Allen opens the tournament against Ding Junhui in a repeat of last year's final. Mark Williams is also in action in the afternoon session. Stream the tournament live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com – with world No. 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan offering his thoughts in the studio.

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We will be back at 12:45pm on Sunday for more live updates with world champion Luca Brecel up against Yuan Sijun and Zhang Anda taking on Elliot Slessor in the last 32.

RESULT: WILSON 5-6 CLARKE

"Kyren is so hard to play against because he's made of steel," said Clarke. "I couldn't believe I'd won. It's one of the best feelings I've ever had on the table."

WILSON 5-5 CLARKE (1-76)

Wilson has seen enough as he shakes hands with Clarke before heading for the hills. Clarke finishes with a match-winning 76 and celebrates his win from 5-1 down. What a result for the world No. 60.

WILSON 5-5 CLARKE (1-71)

Clarke on the cusp of victory. In goes the blue followed by the red he needs. He punches the table. Clarke is heading through to the last 16 and a match against Mark Williams.

WILSON 5-5 CLARKE (1-52)

Not much else to do here for Jamie apart from mind his white. Plenty of reds in open and black on its spot. Should be a done deal.

WILSON 5-5 CLARKE (1-44)

The bounce around the table is obvious from Clarke. Can sense victory here. Smell it even. Will there be another twist in this match? Doesn't look like it.

WILSON 5-5 CLARKE (1-14)

Loose safey shot by Kyren and he has presented Jamie with a real chance with a red hanging over a top pocket. Gets a nice flick off a red to land on the blue. What a piece of good fortune that is. Is this going to be a remarkable recovery from Clarke? Once again, looks like a very decent opportunity.

RESULT: SAENGKHAM 5-6 FORD

A 66 break to the pink is enough for Ford to book his spot in the last 16 after Noppon opened with 55. No wonder he is punching the air after trailing 5-1. He is through to meet Ding Junhui in the last 16.

WILSON 5-4 CLARKE (9-104)

Clarke's second century of the season and a brilliant clearance of 104. We are heading for 5-5. Clarke with breaks of 80 and 104 in the last two frames. Kyren should have had this match finished at 5-1, but you eventually pay the price for failing to finish off your chances.

WILSON 5-4 CLARKE (9-82)

A brilliant shot on a red by Jamie to remain at the table. This match is heading for a final frame. And Clarke might well make a century here. Oozing confidence out there.

WILSON 5-4 CLARKE (9-34)

That is a cracking shot by Clarke to drill a yellow down a hole before coming off the side cush to open the reds. Well now. What an opportunity for the Welshman to win a fourth straight frame. A glorious chance to weigh in with another big break.

WILSON 5-4 CLARKE (9-13)

Stunning red by Clarke to green pocket. He is suddenly bouncing around the table in this match. Are we heading for another decider?

WILSON 5-4 CLARKE (9-0)

Pressure on Wilson, but a poor safety shot by Clarke gives him first go at this table with a red over a top pocket in a frame he needs for victory. Only nine from the visit and he can't slot a double on a red.

SAENGKHAM 5-5 FORD

Tom Ford with breaks of 61, 130, and 55 to level up at 5-5 from 5-1 behind, but Noppon on a break of 40 in the decider.

WILSON 5-3 CLARKE (54-80)

A fine break of 80 from Clarke as he punishes the Wilson error to reduce the arrears to only one frame. Wilson paying a heavy price for failing to finish off the chances that have come his way.

WILSON 5-3 CLARKE (54-47)

Looks like plain sailing for Jamie then heading for final two reds. Nothing difficult on the table and Kyren is steeling himself for a 10th frame.

WILSON 5-3 CLARKE (54-24)

Glorious chance for Clarke to pull another frame back. Disturbs reds after slotting pink and they are all there for the taking.

WILSON 5-3 CLARKE (54-8)

Wilson with 54 break, but plays a risky shot on a red trying to bend the white around black. And red doesn't drop. Another chance eludes Wilson.

WILSON 5-3 CLARKE (30-0)

Well, could have won this match 6-1 an hour ago. Is he going to make the killer thrust finally to run out a 6-3 winner? Should establish a healthy lead at least.

WILSON 5-3 CLARKE (8-0)

Great piece of cueing from Kyren straight off the bat to sink a long red. Much, much more like it from him at the outset of the ninth frame. Would dearly love to weigh in with a big break here.

WILSON 5-2 CLARKE (43-82)

Clarke powers home green and brown. And another frame on the board for the Welshman. 5-1 has become 5-3. Both men heading for a quick break to steady the thought process.

WILSON 5-2 CLARKE (33-75)

Some superb escapes on final red from Wilson, but Clarke has built up a 25-point lead and the blue is safe. Wilson then misses the red off a side cushion. And Clarke is handed a free ball on the pink. Which he misses. A lead of 31 with a possible 35 left up. But Wilson misses the final red completely. And is surely going to lose this frame. Wilson suddenly all over the place.

WILSON 5-2 CLARKE (33-54)

A fluke by Clarke on the red. He lays a snooker behind green on final red, but Wilson with a brilliant hit off two cushions. That was impressive.

WILSON 5-2 CLARKE (33-49)

Clarke into the lead by 10 points heading for final three reds. Drops in a tricky black. One red on side cushion is key ball to the frame, you suspect. A lead of 16 with two reds left up.

WILSON 5-2 CLARKE (33-29)

Wilson out of position before he attempts a tricky plant. Somehow the white falls down a pocket seconds later. Clarke then butchers a long red attempt before Wilson fails to convert a swerve shot on a red to the left middle. Very untidy level of play.

WILSON 5-2 CLARKE (27-19)

All gone a bit scrappy, but Wilson shows his quality with a terrific pot on a red from the side cushion. Another chance presents itself to Kyren as he looks to build a healthy lead in the frame he needs for victory.

WILSON 5-2 CLARKE (6-19)

Clarke probably wondering how he is still out there. Tough cut on a red across table fails to drop. And he is back in his chair for the moment. Until Wilson can't convert red with the rest. Another chance for Clarke.

WILSON 5-2 CLARKE (6-0)

Clarke goes for a long red, but can't control the pace or angle of attempted pot. Kyren not cashing in from the blue. Just six points from a visit that should have brought more.

WILSON 5-1 CLARKE (51-63)

Superb long red by Clarke and that paves the way for another frame on the board. Wilson looked home and hosed, but he broke down on 51 and has paid a heavy price. In goes the pink to left centre to finish off matters. Wilson leads 5-2 now in the race to six.

WILSON 5-1 CLARKE (51-37)

Hunting down this clearance to stay in the match, but break ends on 36 as a tough red with rest fails to drop. Kyren goes for a red down table to green pocket, but stays out. All very taut at the end of this frame.

WILSON 5-1 CLARKE (51-15)

Kyren goes for a tough plant. Doesn't drop and another chance for Jamie to recover in this frame. Not a bad table to attack under normal circumstances.

WILSON 5-1 CLARKE (51-1)

Well, Wilson makes 51, but breaks down at key moment. Can't cut back a tough black. Jamie pots a red, but ends up running into the centre of the pack. All going wrong for him. And now he is snookered on black. Can see the blue so safety shot is coming up.

WILSON 5-1 CLARKE (36-0)

Super recovery shot by Kyren on a pink to left centre. Was tough bridging, but brings white in and out of baulk. Looking to get the job done here and now.

WILSON 5-1 CLARKE (12-0)

A poor break-off shot by Clarke leaves Kyren with a red to left centre. Which he happily accepts. Jamie not potting a ball since the mid-session interval. Will Clarke get another shot in this contest? That is the question.

SAENGKHAM 5-1 FORD

Noppon adding 100 and 127 since the mid-session interval to move one frame from victory and a meeting with Ding in the last 16.

WILSON 4-1 CLARKE (80-0)

Kyren just finalising matters. 49 to go with the 31 and that is 5-1 clear. One more frame required.

WILSON 4-1 CLARKE (55-0)

Can't land ideally on a red after opening up the reds. Luck not favouring him on that occasion. Jamie tries to snick in a red to right centre, but tough angle and nowhere near it. Wilson back at the table looking to move four ahead with a possible five frames to play.

WILSON 4-1 CLARKE (30-0)

Some fine recovery pots by Wilson to remain at the table. And is looking very good here to extend his advantage in this match. Still needs to disturb the pack at some point.

WILSON 4-1 CLARKE (4-0)

And Noppon Saengkham is 4-1 clear of Tom Ford on the other main showpiece table. Jamie slams a long red at a top pocket, but ends up leaving the red over the bag in trying to wrestle the white back to baulk.

WILSON 3-1 CLARKE (84-0)

No century for Kyren, but the man using the black glove produces a fine knock of 84 to move 4-1 clear. One poor safety shot by Jamie and that ended the frame. Kyren chasing two more frames for the last 16. Can world No. 60 Clarke recover here?

WILSON 3-1 CLARKE (47-0)

Black on its spot and reds waiting to be potted in the open. Would strong fancy Kyren to go close to a century if he keeps his focus. Just needs to control the white ball.

WILSON 3-1 CLARKE (9-0)

Brilliant safety shot by Kyren and Clarke blunders to leave Wilson bang in among them. Reds are a dream for a heavy contribution at this visit.

WILSON 3-1 CLARKE (0-0)

Clarke gets the action moving in the fifth frame of the evening. First play to six frames reaches the last 16 and a match against Mark Williams.

SAENGKHAM 3-1 FORD

Breaks of 55, 126 and 58 give Noppon a 3-1 lead at the mid-session with Ford rolling in 86 in the second frame.

WILSON 3-0 CLARKE (47-73)

And no mistake from Clarke this time as he mops up to the pink to close to 3-1 behind. Will that be a turning point in this duel?

WILSON 3-0 CLARKE (47-55)

But Kyren then sticks up the red after escaping from the snooker. Surely Clarke will take out the colours this time.

WILSON 3-0 CLARKE (47-49)

Nice recovery pot on yellow for Clarke with the rest and this is a golden chance to win his first frame of the evening. Heading for the final red, but he overcooks the black and can't pot the final red. Just the safety as break ends on 49. That is a disappointing end.

WILSON 3-0 CLARKE (47-7)

Kyren growing in confidence out there. Looking very good for a 4-0 lead at the mid-session interval. But he loses the white ball at the key point and screws down the table. Ends up failing to pot a red over a pocket with tough bridging over the yellow. That is unexpected, but opportunity knocks for Jamie.

WILSON 3-0 CLARKE (15-0)

Wilson is on easy street out there so far as Clarke attempts a long red, but gets it all wrong. Way off the pot and he leaves another easy starter for the 2020 world finalist. A rueful smile as he returns to his seat, but inside he will be bemused by his performance so far.

WILSON 2-0 CLARKE (69-42)

Clarke can't land on green from the yellow, and he attempts a tough pot on green, but was never there. Ends up sticking up the green and that is surely going to be 3-0. Clarke really under it out there. One more frame before the mid-session break.

WILSON 2-0 CLARKE (51-35)

But he misses a straight red. And that is a real blunder. What a reprieve for Jamie, who must have feared the worst. In goes a tough red to green bag down the table. Suddenly Clarke senses chance to close to 2-1 behind.

WILSON 2-0 CLARKE (51-22)

A blunder by Jamie in leaving a red over top right-hand pocket and that could be so costly. Still work to be done with pink and black away from their spots, but would fancy Kyren to see it out from here.

WILSON 2-0 CLARKE (39-22)

Fine shot by Clarke to leave white behind the green ball in baulk. But Kyren gets the escape right at the third attempt with a glancing blow off the red. Five reds are suddenly wide open for potting here. One mistake or good pot could be key to this third frame.

WILSON 2-0 CLARKE (39-14)

Jamie suffering a bit out there as he overcooks an attempt to escape from a snooker, but ends up leaving Kyren another easy red to get the party started in this frame. Wilson makes 27, but can't open the reds off potting pink. Never hit that with enough pace. Just the safety to follow.

WILSON 2-0 CLARKE (1-14)

A red pokes its head out from distance, and Clarke responds by driving the object ball into the top right-hand bag before holding the white for the black. Fine stun shot to control the cue ball and remain on black. But a mid-range red eludes the Welshman as it rattles the jaws. Chance is passed up.

WILSON 1-0 CLARKE (93-14)

A 65 break from Kyren and he leads 2-0 in this first-round contest.

WILSON 1-0 CLARKE (59-14)

Well, no real fireworks in this match so far, but Kyren in complete control of the direction of travel. Jamie is going to have to find a bit of magic you suspect.

WILSON 1-0 CLARKE (38-14)

Fine shot by Kyren to clip home a red along top cush before running white up to the baulk end. In goes the yellow to follow. And he is back in prime position.

WILSON 1-0 CLARKE (28-14)

Clarke attempting to run safe from baulk. Catches the red all wrong to leave Wilson with another good chance, but Kyren can't take advantage as he adds only one with a rest shot aiming for position going wrong.

WILSON 1-0 CLARKE (27-8)

This is very promising from Kyren from the Clarke error. Reaches 27 before he faces a tough pot on a red to left centre pocket. Adds pace to the pot and it doesn't drop. But Clarke responds with a delightful pot on a red to right middle bag.

WILSON 1-0 CLARKE (11-0)

Long attempt at a red by Clarke. Went all out for the pot, but can't make it and white remains at the top of the table. Golden chance for Wilson here to really push on then.

WILSON 0-0 CLARKE (69-34)

Wilson with a stunning long red. Just off straight, but he thumped that home superbly. Can he finish off this first frame in style? Brilliant pot on a tough yellow along baulk cushion. In goes green and he nudges home brown. A clearance of 31 to the pink and Wilson leads 1-0 in the race to six.

WILSON 0-0 CLARKE (38-34)

Heading into the business end of this frame. Clarke closing gap to four points with final two reds left up. Another safety duel to sort out destination of the frame.

WILSON 0-0 CLARKE (38-26)

Break of 38 from Kyren before he pushes boat out by going for a long red. But a long way off the potitng angle. And chance for Jamie to hit back. Unfortunate seconds later not to spring clear reds from top cush. Just safety shot to follow.

WILSON 0-0 CLARKE (22-20)

Another chance presents itself for Wilson to recover in this opening frame of the night. Six reds left on the table. Three of them near the top cushion.

WILSON 0-0 CLARKE (1-20)

Clarke looking to develop a few more reds, but can't split the pack from slotting blue to right centre. Just the safety shot to follow. So not punishing Wilson's miss with a heavy contribution.

WILSON 0-0 CLARKE (1-1)

Clarke gets this match moving. Bit too much pace with the break-off shot, and Wilson slots home a long red straight off the bat. Just the roll up behind the green and he forces the error from Clarke, but Wilson butchers the pot on the red. Poor miss. Didn't expect that. Chance then for Clarke to settle in.

RESULT: ALLEN 5-6 DING

Breaks of 79, 63, 70 and 102 from Ding in the closing five frames. Allen with runs of 67, 106, 60, 65 and 70.

We will be back just before 7pm as the last-32 matches at the UK Championship continue:

Tom Ford v Noppon Saengkham
Kyren Wilson v Jamie Clarke

ALLEN 5-5 DING (37-102)

A 102 clearance from Ding, and he is through to the last 16. The three-time UK champion defeats the defending champion 6-5. He will meet Tom Ford or Noppon Saengkham in the second round at the York Barbican.

ALLEN 5-5 DING (37-77)

And he could be finishing with a century in this final frame. Ding hitting back in style.

ALLEN 5-5 DING (37-61)

Looks like Allen may be out here. Ding on the brink of victory.

ALLEN 5-5 DING (37-29)

Well, can you believe this? Allen misses a sitter of a red to left centre. Looked on the cusp of victory, but he misses the key ball. Then Ding with a do-or-die pot on a red to stay at the table when he ran out of position. And in it goes. Quite a brilliant cutback. All going off out there. Can Ding hold himself together?

ALLEN 5-5 DING (13-0)

Cracking long red from Allen to break the deadlock. Back up for the brown and he screws down the table to land on the next red. Is this going to be the match-winning contribution from the defending champion? Every chance now.

ALLEN 5-5 DING (0-0)

Ding with a telling safety to leave white behind the yellow on its spot in baulk. Allen responds with a fine escape to keep matters tight at the other end of the table. One false move now could signal the end of this match.

ALLEN 4-5 DING (80-49)

Allen 25 ahead with 25 left up. Ding with a decent pot on yellow, but can't get over for the green. Allen then drops in a poor safety shot allowing Ding to pot green to left middle. Tough shot on brown along baulk cushion, but it stays up and that will be 5-5 coming up after 30 minutes this frame. Allen puts away brown and blue. We are heading for a deciding frame.

RESULT: WILLIAMS 6-4 FAN

Mark Williams closes with a break of 86 to reach the last 16. Fan kept the match alive with a knock of 130 in the ninth frame, but it is not enough. Williams to face Kyren Wilson or Jamie Clarke in the second round.

ALLEN 4-5 DING (71-44)

70 break from Allen. Not the greatest of safety shots, but he holds his hand up in apology. Ding not on the final red, but the cross double from Allen doesn't go in and Ding takes out red and black. 27 the difference on the colours. Brilliant shot from Ding to apply top spin in getting from final red to land on black.

ALLEN 4-5 DING (71-36)

Terrific response from Allen in reaching 55 as he thumps a red into left centre before developing final red off the black. In goes black to move 35 clear with 35 remaining on table. So job not done yet. What is Allen's next move? Needs a good safety as he is not on this final red.

ALLEN 4-5 DING (41-36)

Every chance of forcing this match to a deciding frame. Three reds out of five reds in open as he moves four points to the good.

ALLEN 4-5 DING (17-36)

Well, what a turning point in this match. Ding pauses before trying to slot black off the spot and ends up missing black thin. That is a shocker. Allen handed a reprieve that he probably didn't see. Still in this tournament as he returns to the table.

ALLEN 4-5 DING (1-19)

Allen in a real spot of bother early in the 10th frame, but he pots his way out of trouble with a long red finding the pocket. Brilliant pot, but he then sees the white drop down the yellow pocket seconds later trying to run safe. Really nervy finish to this match. Ding responds by clipping away a red from distance and suddenly has his hand on the table here.

ALLEN 4-4 DING (65-70)

Ding just gets the black home. Looked like he twitched the black, but it struggles in and that is a crucial 70 break from Ding to move 5-4 ahead. Stunning finish from Ding. He is right back in the ball game here. Needs one more frame to avenge his defeat in last year's final.

ALLEN 4-4 DING (65-43)

Onto the final two reds for Ding. One red near the right side cushion. And he nudges it off the cushion via pink. Every chance now of a 5-4 lead for Ding heading for the colours.

ALLEN 4-4 DING (65-1)

Has been the story of the day really for Allen. Getting in early on, but not putting frames away when chances come up. 65 this time before he is out of position. And then a bad safety shot gives Ding the chance to launch a counter attack.

ALLEN 4-4 DING (58-0)

The 50+ break is brought up with real authority. Ding forced to sit out this frame. Every chance he won't be coming back unless Allen collapses.

ALLEN 4-4 DING (34-0)

Fine opening red from distance by Allen to get himself moving in this frame. Probably can't believe he is level at 4-4. Would dearly love another big contribution here. And every chance as he slips the white into the pack with real craft and lands perfectly on the next red. An inviting table to get the job done here.

ALLEN 4-3 DING (54-64)

Allen flukes the pink to right centre and this match is suddenly 4-4 in the race to six frames. A best-of-three frame fight for a last-16 spot.

ALLEN 4-3 DING (48-64)

63 break from Ding. Should probably be the frame in the bag for 4-4. Allen playing on for snookers, but only pink and black left up with 16 points on table.

ALLEN 4-3 DING (48-50)

Ding reaches 33. Two reds left up as he drills in a pink to right centre, but can't get the ideal split on the final two reds. No messing about though as he plays a brilliant cut on a red down the table to the yellow bag. In goes the final red after a tough black, and every chance of drawing level here and now. Ding refusing to let go of this match.

WILLIAMS 3-3 FAN

A real engrossing battle on the other showpiece table. Fan with three 50+ plus breaks, but can't split them. Williams with a handy 47-5 lead in the seventh frame.

ALLEN 4-3 DING (48-7)

But no one-visit kill this time. Ding missed blue with the rest trying to screw back early in the eighth frame, but Allen has jawed a tough cut on a red to right centre. Wasn't a gimme. And red stays out. Didn't see that coming. And neither did Allen.

ALLEN 4-3 DING (33-1)

Allen needs two frames, Ding three. And it is Allen who is looking to move within one of the winning line here. Break moves effortlessly to 33 in the eighth frame of a possible 11. Black is tied up. So needs to be mindful of his white.

ALLEN 4-2 DING (28-79)

79 of the best from Ding, who is back to within one frame of the defending champion. Fabulous fighting display from Ding after Allen missed the long yellow.

ALLEN 4-2 DING (28-57)

Well, Ding fighting the good fight here. Nice cannon to free up a red off the black. Drops black in dead weight to leave a tough red and then drops in the red dead weight seconds later with the rest. This is a superb response from the world No. 17. Rolling those balls in with some authority. In goes the final red and we are heading back to 4-3. This match a tough one to call.

ALLEN 4-2 DING (28-6)

Allen is first to the punch in this seventh frame of the day, but out of position on 28. Tries to clip in a tough yellow, but can't make that and suddenly Ding is presented with the chance to bury the memory of that missed red in the previous frame. Vital that he makes this visit count, you suspect. In normal times, would expect him to make a few, but doesn't look himself today.

ALLEN 3-2 DING (84-59)

Ding not in the best of health out there, but that will make him feel awful. What a miss on the final red by Ding. Don't usually see that at this level of snooker. Allen tidies up the table to lead 4-2.

ALLEN 3-2 DING (61-59)

A bad misjudgement by Allen as he tries to float white back to the top end of table off a red, but ends up hitting blue and the white disappears down the left middle bag. Well, would you believe this? Another chance for Ding to steal frame in this contest. Only looking for one more red and up to the blue, but he misses a straight red by miles. Can't believe that miss. Should be 4-2 now surely.

ALLEN 3-2 DING (60-43)

Break moves to 60 from Allen, but no more as a tough cut on a red to right centre eludes him. Tidy break, but no winning thrust at that visit. Ding responds with a double attempt on a red, but it fails to find the mark. Three reds left on table. Down to another safety exchange to settle matters.

ALLEN 3-2 DING (15-43)

Ding forcing a few penalty points out of a snookered Allen from several misses, but then pushes the boat out by going for a mid-range red when his opponent hits the cluster. Well off the potting angle, and what a chance for Allen to piece together some more points.

ALLEN 3-2 DING (0-23)

Ding first to the punch in the sixth frame then with a long red dropping from a poor Allen break-off shot. He breaks down on 23 as a red drops, but the white ends up on the baulk line. Out of position early in the break. Tough bridging and forced to play it safe.

ALLEN 2-2 DING (106-13)

Allen with an excellent 106 break. Superb break from him. Tries the little trick shot on black to finish around the angles. Doesn't drop, but no matter. Frame was well done. Halfway to a spot in the last 16 at the York Barbicam.

ALLEN 2-2 DING (73-13)

Chance of a century as the break reaches 73. Ding forced to digest that error at the key moment.

ALLEN 2-2 DING (43-13)

'The Pistol' not far from the winning line after being presented with the opportunity to slot these balls. And the UK champion is not going to turn these chances down. Looking for one more red and black. And in goes the frame balls he needs. Going to lead 3-2.

ALLEN 2-2 DING (15-13)

Not sure what just happened as Ding tries to pot a tricky black bridging over a red using rest, but leaves it well short of pace. Neither an attempt on pot or a safety shot. All very odd as he returns to his chair looking miserable. Allen handed a decent chance to get his cue arm working here.

ALLEN 2-2 DING (0-6)

Off we go then for the fifth frame of a possible 11. Ding 10-6 ahead on career head-to-heads. And he has first chance here. Allen tries a deep screw shot to get white back to baulk, but unfortunate to see a red race back down the table too. Easy enough starter for Ding.

O'SULLIVAN RECALLS 'WORST DEFEAT' AT UK CHAMPIONSHIP

Ronnie O'Sullivan became the youngest winner of the UK Championship when he defeated Stephen Hendry 10-6 at the age of 17 years and 358 days in 1993. He could become the oldest winner of the event if he claims the trophy for an eighth time next month, but what happened on his UK debut campaign a year earlier? The snooker GOAT takes a trip down memory lane to recall an epic battle with Cliff Wilson.

WILLIAMS 1-1 FAN

The opening frames shared on the other showpiece table between the three-time world champion and the former European Masters winner.

ALLEN 1-2 DING (77-0)

So we are heading for 2-2 at the mid-session. This match yet to really catch fire. Allen misses a red along top cushion, but returns to the table after Ding can't clip a tricky red into right centre. Not sure how that stayed out. Allen gets the job done at the third attempt.

ALLEN 1-2 DING (47-0)

A 47 break from Allen, but we've been here before in this match. Thumps black into the pocket with white near cushion. But doesn't pot it cleanly and is out of position on the next red. That is frustrating for the Antrim man, who is forced to take his medicine with a safety shot.

ALLEN 1-2 DING (30-0)

Huge safety blunder by Ding at the outset of the fourth frame. Tries to run the white back to baulk, but ends up colliding with a red on the right side cushion. Chance for Allen to get the cue arm working with an easy opener.

ALLEN 1-1 DING (47-57)

Ding with another terrific clearance to pinch the third frame. Allen could easily have been 3-0 ahead, but finds himself 2-1 down. If Ding is struggling with a cold, he is warming up on the table. In goes the pink to the yellow pocket. Brilliant from the three-time champion.

ALLEN 1-1 DING (47-37)

Another chance of a huge Ding steal as he slots a tough red along top cushion. Before a stun shot on black to right centre sees him land perfectly on yellow.

ALLEN 1-1 DING (47-29)

Some supreme scoring here from Allen as he screws back via blue to land on a tricky red down a side cushion. Rolls it in as break moves to 47 with only one red left on the table. This frame still in the mixer.

ALLEN 1-1 DING (16-29)

Ding breaking down as a blue to right-hand pocket comes back out. Allen with a lovely shot using rest to power in a red and open up the cluster. Blue in play then for the Northern Irishman to mount a recovery.

ALLEN 1-1 DING (0-10)

Allen nursing a hot cup of water in the arena. A lot of players like to get the fingers and hands warmed up. Error by Allen in leaving a red for Ding to pop in after coming off side cushion trying to run safe. A bit too much pace. Not an easy table for Ding to attack with black tied up and pink off its spot.

ALLEN 1-0 DING (58-66)

That is a superb clearance from Ding. Faced with a thin cut on black to a blind pocket to level at 1-1. And in it goes. The Chinese icon showing his mettle to restore parity at 1-1. Ding apparently under the weather before this match, but that should make him feel better.

ALLEN 1-0 DING (58-41)

Ding takes the fight down to the final red after a safety blunder by Allen. Drops in final red down the side cush with no pace. And out for the black. Golden chance to level matters at 1-1.

ALLEN 1-0 DING (58-16)

Ding pots his first red of the match. Well, one that counts anyway. Adds a black, but no more coming at this visit. He then drops in a lovely long red from distance. Three reds near side cush. So this frame will take some winning at this visit. And he can't really crack on. Another poor safety shot gives Allen chance to get the second frame won. But he is then forced to run safe with three reds left up.

O'SULLIVAN: ANY OF THE 32 CAN WIN IT

The snooker GOAT has offered up his thoughts for Eurosport on the field vying for the UK title this year.

Ding being heavily punished here. One slight error in the first frame, and a mediocre safety shot in the second frame. Allen doing his work with reds and blues with pink tied up. Reaches 46 before white ends up sticking to a side cushion in baulk. Difficult pot on blue, but it doesn't drop to left centre and the break ends on 46. Ding then butchers a straight red from mid-range. Clearly hasn't settled out there. Let-off for Allen.

ALLEN 1-0 DING (5-0)

No ton from Mark Allen, but not a bad way to start the day. A lovely break of 67 is more than enough for the opening frame. And Allen is the first to the punch in the second frame of the day after a loose safety by Ding. What will he score here?

ALLEN 0-0 DING (53-0)

Will he start this tournament opener with a century? Looks for all the world like he is going to move one frame to the good unless there is a major malfunction. Certainly laying down a marker for Ding. He's not in York to do a spot of sightseeing.

ALLEN 0-0 DING (37-0)

Looks like Allen is happy with the pace of the table. Very sharp at close range as he showed by winning the Champion of Champions last week with a 10-3 win over Judd Trump in the final. Pack of reds are opened up nicely. Faced with a thin cut on a red to left centre. Nice kiss on yellow and this is rapidly turning into a frame-winning chance.

ALLEN 0-0 DING (10-0)

We are off and running then with this year's UK Championship. A repeat of last year's final. Early chance for Ding, but he sees a white fly into the yellow bag from potting red to right centre. A settling down period you would call this. Allen then raps home a long red before coming back up for blue. Lovely piece of cueing.

DOWN TO THE BUSINESS END

Fair to say, the cream rises to the top when you have only 32 players at the finals venue. In past years, the Barbican has felt a bit more like a supermarket with several tables and players wandering up and down the place. These days, we only have two main showpiece tables. Which adds to the prestige of the event.

The draw for the UK Championship was made on Thursday, and threw up a host of intriguing ties at the Barbican in York. Ronnie O’Sullivan will take on Anthony McGill in the opening round on Tuesday. Yuan Sijun held his nerve to secure victory over Ken Doherty in the final round of qualifying and he will face world champion Luca Brecel in the first round.

DING STRIKES IT LUCKY

China's world No. 17 completed wins over Daniel Wells (6-4) and Robbie Williams (6-3) to return to the final stages of an event that he has won in 2005, 2009 and 2019. Like all good champions, it is fair to say he enjoyed a spot of good luck with this huge fluke setting up his victory over Wells in qualifying.

Ding pots two reds with incredible fluke at UK Championship

GOOD AFTERNOON

The 47th edition of the UK Championship makes an enticing start at the York Barbican today with defending champion Mark Allen up against three-time winner Ding Junhui in a repeat of last year's final won 10-7 by Allen from 6-1 behind. We also have three-time world champion Mark Williams, UK champion in 1999 and 2002, confronting former European Masters winner Fan Zhengyi on the other main show table. Boys on baize at back of 1pm.

Allen gets his hands on the UK Championship trophy after impressive fightback

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