'Absolutely embarrassing' - Mark Allen says table should be 'burned' as Mark Selby beats Pang Junxu on final black
Published 24/09/2024 at 08:53 GMT+1
Mark Allen made it through his opening match at the British Open, but he was far from impressed by the playing table. The former world No. 1 vented his frustration at the "embarrassing" conditions and said they were "not good enough". Mark Selby found it hard going in his opener but showed his battling qualities as he made a 58 clearance to snatch victory on the final black against Pang Junxu.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Mark Allen criticised conditions at the British Open as "absolutely embarrassing" and claimed the table he played his opening match on should be “burned”.
Allen didn’t make a break of over 50 as he edged out Gary Wilson 4-3.
The match was staged on table two at the Centaur in Cheltenham.
"The conditions out there are absolutely embarrassing," Allen told ITV.
"It's some of the worst weather outside and they've left the massive transport doors open. It's so cold, it's so humid, out there.
"The table needs to be burned. The cushions are unplayable, uncontrollable. It was heavy. The speed was decent.
"There are new guys doing the tables this year and they're clearly not up to it.
"I pride myself on preparing properly for tournaments with good conditions and you turn up and you don't get them. It's not good enough."
Allen will face Aaron Hill in the next round of the British Open.
He added: "I complain every single tournament, fill in table report sheets, match report sheets and nothing ever changes."
Allen later apologised on X to interviewer Rob Walker - but was again critical of the conditions.
"After having some time to calm down I’d like to apologise to Rob Walker for that interview. My anger wasn’t directed at him and he definitely deserved a better interview.
"My frustrations were 100% at the conditions which frankly haven’t been anywhere near good enough this season."
A spokesperson for World Snooker Tour told the BBC: "Our table-fitting team has been consistent for some time and works to the highest standards.
"The weather in the area has seen unprecedented rainfall over the last couple of days which can negatively influence the conditions.
"We have raised the issue of an open door with the venue."
Selby battles TO victory on final black
Mark Selby won a marathon match in the early hours of Tuesday morning on the final black against Pang Junxu.
The four-time world champion looked to be following Mark Williams out of the tournament as he trailed 56-0 in the deciding frame.
But he compiled a brilliant 58 clearance to snatch victory, fist pumping as he clinched the win.
Selby had led three times in the match thanks to breaks of 68, 73 and 125.
But Pang responded on each occasion to take the match to a deciding frame.
He couldn’t close out the win, though, as Selby showed his battling qualities to advance.
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