Northern Ireland Open snooker 2022 recap – Mark Williams, Mark Allen, Neil Robertson and Mark Selby progress in Belfast

Welcome to our live updates from the Northern Ireland Open with Neil Robertson and Mark Selby in afternoon action before Mark Allen and Mark Williams continue their respective title bids later tonight. Robertson faces Fan Zhengyi at 13:00 UK time with Selby taking on Sam Craigie an hour later. Defending champion Allen meets Chen Zifan, while Williams goes head-to-head with Alexander Ursenbacher.

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Thanks for joining us

We will be back at 1pm on Tuesday with John Higgins facing Jackson Page and Luca Brecel meeting JImmy White in the last 64.

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Around the tables

Williams 3-2 Ursenbacher (78-2)

78 from Williams and he progresses to the last 32 with a 4-2 success. Classy way to end it.

Williams 3-2 Ursenbacher (70-2)

Williams seeing out this match in style. Brilliant long red to get in and he has embarked upon a superb break to kill off the match.

Williams 3-2 Ursenbacher (31-2)

Not exactly a full house left inside the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, but this is dramatic in its own right despite it turning a tad scrappy. A brilliant long red by Mark Williams breaks the impasse. Will this be the winning thrust from Williams?

Williams 3-2 Ursenbacher (0-0)

Winner of this contest will face Jimmy Robertson in the last 32 after he enjoyed a 4-1 win over Andy Hicks.

Williams 3-1 Ursenbacher (17-75)

Both men have had chances in this frame, but it looks like Ursenbacher is going to keep alive his hopes. Nothing spectacular, but this match continues with Williams 3-2 clear.

Williams 3-1 Ursenbacher (17-21)

The Swiss player misses black off the spot, but then Williams does likewise. This match suddenly blighted by errors after such a rousing start.

Williams 2-1 Ursenbacher (73-15)

Seems like Ursenbacher has gone off boil at wrong time for him. Misses black and Willo steps in. Williams with a lead of 58 and only 43 points left before Ursenbacher concedes. Bit of confusion, but he says enough is enough after checking scoreboard.

Williams 2-1 Ursenbacher (50-14)

Ursenbacher calls a foul on himself after nudging green as he went to play a red. But only eight from Williams and a lead of 44 points. All turned a bit scrappy out there.

Williams 2-1 Ursenbacher (38-6)

A shake of the head from Williams as a red to middle doesn't drop. Looks annoyed by that. Was a decent chance to build a chunkier lead, but not taken.

Williams 2-1 Ursenbacher (30-0)

Williams with a three-ball plant early in this fourth frame. And is he on the move after that exacting third frame. Feels like he might be coming to the fore here.

Williams 1-1 Ursenbacher (69-50)

Mark Williams doing Mark Williams things. Mistake by Alex and the Welsh icon clears green, brown and blue before rolling in the pink for a 2-1 lead. 37 minutes of play, but the nous of Williams holds sway.

Williams 1-1 Ursenbacher (51-50)

Williams flukes the yellow, but is not on the green. Just another tactical offering.

Williams 1-1 Ursenbacher (49-50)

A tactical battle on the colours. Looks like a yellow ball game at the moment as colours are all there for taking. 33 minutes this frame has been running.

Williams 1-1 Ursenbacher (49-46)

Ursenbacher flukes a red into middle pocket and tucks up Williams behind black. A one cushion escape, but Williams misses yellow in baulk. Gets there second time. Ursenbacher then misses the yellow from a snooker.

Williams 1-1 Ursenbacher (45-39)

Ursenbacher back in the hunt in this frame, but a lovely snooker by Williams. Unfortunate to see white dive down the green bag, but no harm done. Down to the final red.

Williams 1-1 Ursenbacher (41-24)

Williams misses a red along top cushion, but his opponent can't land nicely on a colour in moving a few reds. Just the safety shot.

Williams 1-1 Ursenbacher (19-23)

No large break this time from Ursenbacher and Williams drops in a tricky cut on the red. The 24-time ranking event winner back at the table.

Williams 1-1 Ursenbacher (6-23)

Ursenbacher sees a white drop in top pocket, but it works in his favour as Williams snookers himself in powering in a red from distance. Can't escape from snooker and the Swiss player is handed a free ball. Another chance for the former English Open semi-finalist, but he is out of position on 18.

Williams 0-1 Ursenbacher (139-0)

Well, what can you say about this in the second frame. Anything you can do...vintage Mark Williams. 139 points of majestic snooker from the three-time world champion. 118 from Ursenbacher, but Williams responds with a delightful knock. That is highest break of tournament so far. A blistering start to the match.

Williams 0-1 Ursenbacher (68-0)

Ideal response here from Williams in the second frame. Looks like he is going to make the immediate recovery with a stunning century of his own.

Williams 0-1 Ursenbacher (31-0)

A safety shot by Ursenbacher is much too thin and Williams is presented with chance to get his cue arm working for the first time.

Williams 0-1 Ursenbacher (0-0)

‘Maybe he should go out there and pretend he’s playing me’ – O’Sullivan on Ursenbacher

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Williams 0-0 Ursenbacher (0-118)

This is sublime snooker. Can't believe he is world No. 64. A brilliant break of 118 to get his evening off and running. He leads 1-0. The shot he played to pot pink and nudge the final red over middle pocket was a bit special. He doesn't hang about when he gets moving.

Williams 0-0 Ursenbacher (0-78)

Dream start to the night by Ursenbacher. Could be a century straight off the bat. Brilliant ball striking similar to Mark Allen.

Williams 0-0 Ursenbacher (0-47)

A fast start to the evening by the Swiss player. Nicknamed 'Federer of the baize' and is certainly stamping his class on this first frame.

Williams 0-0 Ursenbacher (0-20)

Terrific pot on a red by Ursenbacher using the spider to remain at table after Williams narrowly failed to pop in a long red.

Williams 0-0 Ursenbacher (0-0)

Off we go then with Williams chasing a second Northern Ireland Open title after his 9-8 final victory over Yan Bingtao at this venue in 2017.

Around the tables

Allen 3-0 Chen (64-27)

Allen drains the long yellow after escaping from a superb Chen snooker. Quite the win for Allen as Chen comes forward to offer the handshake. A 4-0 win for 'The Pistol'. Breaks of 102, 85, 92 and 50. And on he goes to face Andy Lee in last 32.

Allen 3-0 Chen (62-22)

Just too good from Allen. Chen needing two snookers otherwise it is BFH for him. Bus fare home.

Allen 3-0 Chen (50-20)

Another break of 50 from Allen before laying Chen in a tough snooker. Allen goes for a red to yellow pocket seconds later, but just stays out. Chen battling to stay alive.

Allen 3-0 Chen (37-15)

Not sure how much more life there is in this match. Allen with a performance full of gusto and no little flair.

Allen 3-0 Chen (10-15)

Opportunity for Chen to regain some purpose, but he misses a cutback on the black. Was not easy, but disappointing end. What will Allen produce in the fourth frame?

Allen 2-0 Chen (92-8)

Red eludes him on 92. What a pity, but breaks of 102, 85 and 92 leaves him in command. Needs one more frame for victory.

Allen 2-0 Chen (85-8)

Almost like a practice drill at the moment. Allen enjoying his snooker tonight. Only going 40 minutes and it is 3-0 to the Antrim man. Chance of another century.

Allen 2-0 Chen (33-8)

Another long red by Chen doesn't drop. Stuns the white and he has left Allen back in at the business end. The world No. 100 right up against it. Allen is moving faster as the night goes on. Not messing about out there.

Allen 1-0 Chen (120-8)

An 85 to go with the earlier run of 102 and Mark Allen is halfway to the last 32. Chen punished heavily for missing a straight red.

Allen 1-0 Chen (91-8)

Going 21 minutes and Allen holes the yellow to leave Chen needing a snooker. Get the feeling that Chen really needs to find his feet in the next frame otherwise this match might be a done deal before he knows where he is.

Allen 1-0 Chen (35-8)

Snooker always produces the unexpected. Allen looking in supreme nick, but misses an obvious red. Chen can't capitalise as he misses what is known as a sitter red in the trade. Those are confidence robbers. No question.

Allen 1-0 Chen (12-0)

Another lovely red to gain access to the table early in the second frame. Screwed it back and is perfect on the brown which disappears down the pocket. Has to be mindful of his work, but perfect chance to continue his forward momentum.

Around the tables

Allen 0-0 Chen (102-0)

In goes the blue and that is the third century in two matches from Mark Allen of 102. Only 11 minutes gone and the Antrim man holds a 1-0 lead.

Allen 0-0 Chen (73-0)

This is a sublime start to the night by Allen. Could be a century on the cards too. Keen to keep his opponent cold.

Allen 0-0 Chen (35-0)

The reds are open and so is the black. Would expect him to contribute quite a hefty break here. Looks in peak condition early on.

Allen 0-0 Chen (6-0)

First meeting of these two players on tour. Allen immediately on the attack with a cracking opening red. Keen to entertain the home fans.

Thanks for joining us

We will be back at 7pm with Mark Allen continuing his title defence against Chen Zifan before Mark Williams meets Alexander Ursenbacher.

Selby 3-2 Craigie (62-15)

This has been excellent from Selby. A break of 58 from the former world champion the key to victory. Craigie running out of steam at key moment.

Selby 3-2 Craigie (32-15)

This looks ominous for Craigie. Was in first here, but missed the red to centre and now has to sit down and suffer. These points could have been his.

Selby 3-2 Craigie (17-15)

Craigie goes into the pack of reds, but can't land ideally on a red. Misses to a middle bag and Selby has been presented with a return to table when he might have feared the worst.

Selby 3-2 Craigie (0-10)

Selby attempts to pick out a long red, but can't convert an obvious opportunity as red stalls over the pocket. Craigie first to the punch in the sixth frame, a frame he needs to force a decider.

AROUND THE TABLES

ROUND 2

Selby 3-1 Craigie (0-112)

Ton up for Craigie at the Waterfront. Can that give him the inspiration to hit back in this match? A super knock of 111. Still in the mix.

Selby 3-1 Craigie (0-76)

A break of 56 and counting for Craigie. His best spell of the afternoon so far among the balls. Should be a quick response to close to 3-2 behind.

Selby 3-1 Craigie (0-26)

A huge fluke from Craigie at the outset of the fifth frame and he continues break with a delightful shot holing a red using the rest.

Selby 3-1 Craigie (0-0)

The winner of this match will face Hammad Miah or Lu Ning in the last 32.

Selby 3-1 Craigie (0-0)

Chances for Craigie are passed up. And he is in deep trouble. Selby chasing one more frame for a last-32 spot.

Selby 2-1 Craigie (70-55)

Well, a blunder by Craigie at the table. Hand on table and he misses a red to a centre pocket. That could be so damaging. Selby one clear on the colours. In goes a tricky yellow along the baulk cushion and he is going to lead 3-1. Craigie chasing one snooker on final two colours.

Selby 2-1 Craigie (42-48)

Selby extracts the error from his opponent, but not a great shot in trying to snooker behind the green. Leaves long red for Craigie and he arrows the object ball into the rigging. Chance then for a winning counter attack.

Selby 2-1 Craigie (29-41)

These two players have met twice on the professional circuit with Selby emerging a 4-1 winner on both occasions at the 2021 Gibraltar Open and 2018 European Masters. A timely effort to roll up behind green off two cushions.

Selby 2-1 Craigie (23-30)

Selby misses a red along the top cushion to provide Craigie with a return to the table. This frame not slipping quietly into the night.

Selby 2-1 Craigie (23-16)

AROUND THE TABLES

ROUND 2

Selby 2-1 Craigie (12-8)

A breathtaking pot on a red by Selby to gain access to the table, but no major break comes off it. Just the 12 points before he runs safe down the table.

Selby 2-1 Craigie (0-8)

A re-rack early in the fourth frame. All very tense out there at the moment as Selby twice misses a red. Is giving a warning about losing the frame, but connects the third time.

Selby 2-1 Craigie

Craigie tries to snooker Selby behind brown, but is short of pace and that is so costly as he can't escape from self-harming snooker and Selby pots red he needs. A disappointing outcome for Craigie as he trails 2-1. A rueful smile as he concedes frame.

Selby 1-1 Craigie (51-12)

A solid break of 51 from Selby before he opts to nudge a blue safe with four reds all tied up at the moment. Looks a very strong favourite for a 2-1 lead when you study the state of the table.

Selby 1-1 Craigie (37-12)

Selby can play all sorts of games, but is most proficient when he is in among the balls and scoring. Should go close to winning the frame at this visit.

Selby 1-1 Craigie (12-12)

Selby content to play the waiting game as he slides in a red from distance after a brief cameo from Craigie brought only 12 points to the table.

Selby 0-1 Craigie (115-34)

Much more like it from Selby. What we've come to expect from Mark over the years. A classy clearance of 78 from the Leicester professional. All square at the Waterfront.

Selby 0-1 Craigie (57-34)

Craigie leaves Selby in a snooker in baulk and garners 20 points before the four-time world champion finally escapes. Craigie attempts to pick out a long red, but fails to convert and nudges another red over a middle pocket. No damage done to Selby then as he nears restoring parity at 1-1.

Selby 0-1 Craigie (17-14)

Selby attempts to slot blue to a middle pocket, but can't find the target and Craigie has chance to profit from that mistake, but he throws in a horrid shot with rest. Misses red by a fair distance and Selby is back at the table.

Selby 0-0 Craigie (53-84)

A long battle in this first frame, but Craigie slides home a lovely yellow before landing on the green. That is fabulous. In goes the green and brown before he flukes the blue. Job done for Craigie. He leads 1-0 in the race to four.

Selby 0-0 Craigie (53-70)

Another crunching long red by Selby, but he is snookered on the yellow behind green after overcooking the positional shot on black. Three misses adds 12 points to the Craigie total before he gets there the third time.

Selby 0-0 Craigie (36-58)

Safety error by Craigie. Selby continues to scramble back. Adds 14 points to his total with two reds left up. This opening frame not yet a done deal for Craigie. Frame running for 30 minutes.

Selby 0-0 Craigie (22-58)

A stunning long red by Selby to keep alive his hopes in this frame. Four reds left up and they are all locked on a side cushion.

Selby 0-0 Craigie (8-58)

A very confident start to the day by Craigie, who does not look like the world No. 47 out there. A break of 58 before he runs safe. Still 75 left up in this opening frame.

Selby 0-0 Craigie (8-7)

Selby deep in the trenches already out there. Tactical joust before the former world champion can't roll in a red along the top cushion. Chance passes to Craigie.

Selby 0-0 Craigie (0-0)

A real scrap for Selby against Reanne Evans on Sunday, but he steadied the ship at 2-2 to scramble through. Craigie will perhaps offer more of a threat on the scoring side today.

Around the tables

ROUND 2

Fan 2-4 Robertson

Robertson will face Ben Woollaston or John Astley in the last 32 of the Northern Ireland Open. Next up this afternoon is Mark Selby against Sam Craigie.

Fan 2-3 Robertson (23-73)

A stunning long blue to the green pocket races down the hole. In goes red and black. And that should be that. Fan needing three snookers, but Robertson slots red with rest to finish matters off. A 4-2 win.

Fan 2-3 Robertson (23-48)

Disaster for Fan as he knocks the white in after holing blue. He can't believe that and Robertson is back at the table with chance to move further clear in frame he needs for victory.

Fan 2-3 Robertson (22-23)

No split on reds for Robertson before a tough pink to green pocket doesn't trouble pocket. Fan bounds back to baize with a thumping opening red. Can he haul himself level in this match?

Fan 2-3 Robertson (0-22)

Tough mid-range cut on red from Robertson is rolled in like it is over a pocket. Another solid red and black find the back of the bin and this is the chance to build a decent lead in frame he needs for victory.

Fan 1-3 Robertson (102-0)

A fluke on red from Fan on 90 keeps the break going and he advances to make the century on 102. Just over seven minutes for the break. That is what you call getting on with it. Back to 3-2 behind.

Fan 1-3 Robertson (68-0)

A terrific split on reds off the black and the opportunity is clearly there for Fan to make the kill in one visit to the table. Much more like it from him.

Fan 1-3 Robertson (39-0)

Fan responds to his plight by driving a red down a top pocket from distance. Not hanging about out there. Has speeded up his cue action and technique.

Fan 1-2 Robertson (41-65)

No pot on the pink, but it matters not. Robertson picking his moments in this match. Not vintage, but more than enough to move two frames ahead with a possible three to play.

Fan 1-2 Robertson (41-51)

Red gallops down yellow pocket from distance and looks like Robertson is heading 3-1 clear...

Fan 1-2 Robertson (41-48)

Not an easy table for Fan to win frame from, but he can get himself right back into the mix. Reaches 37 before playing a snooker behind the yellow. Robertson misses first time, but hits red at the second attempt and gets it safe.

Fan 1-2 Robertson (0-48)

But a red with rest is missed as the break concludes on 48. Robertson yet to contribute 50 plus break in this match.

Fan 1-2 Robertson (0-44)

Very positive body language from Robertson as he arcs the white into the pack of reds via the black. This looks very promising for the world No. 3.

Fan 1-2 Robertson (0-15)

Fan can't sink a long red at outset of frame and Robertson responds by carting one into the pocket. Chance then for the Australian to get on the move again.

Fan 0-2 Robertson (117-1)

A clearance of 91 from the young Chinese player. Back to 2-1 behind. Reminding his opponent that he can't take liberties out there or he'll be punished. First man to four reaches the last 32 and a match against Ben Woollaston or John Astley.

Fan 0-2 Robertson (92-1)

Robertson seeing a red elude him to the middle pocket and Fan has chance to pounce. This much, much better from the former European Masters winner. Looks much more confident on the attack. And is likely to win his first frame of the match. Reminding Robertson that he is able to score heavily.

Fan 0-1 Robertson (20-64)

Very patient from Robertson so far as he drops in another blistering red before tidying up the balls needed for a 2-0 lead. Fan full of miscalculations so far. He needs to change the momentum of this match.

Fan 0-1 Robertson (20-26)

Fan with questionable shot choice in trying to slot a red, but no real damage done. Fan toiling to score among the balls so far. He then throws his cue at a long red that was incredibly difficult and this could cost him dearly with Robbo right back in among them.

Fan 0-0 Robertson (25-87)

A timely run of 34 from Robertson before he lays a brilliant snooker. Fan hits black instead of red off two cushions, leaves the red and the outcome sees the first frame heading for the Aussie, who benefited greatly from some sound tactical shots. A 1-0 lead.

Fan 0-0 Robertson (25-21)

Long red from Robertson drops to end a seven-minute potting drought and he gets second prize by being able to roll white in behind the green. Chance left for Robertson of red to middle pocket after Fan escapes from snooker. And he hammers it home. Chance to win frame at this visit.

Fan 0-0 Robertson (24-12)

Only 23 from Fan as his cue ball control stops him in his tracks. Doesn't look like he has settled down yet, but this could be a key frame in the context of the match. Doesn't want to give Robbo any encouragement.

Fan 0-0 Robertson (1-12)

Bit of a nervy start for both players with the Aussie seeing a cut on a red stay up. Surprising miss by someone of his class. Early reprieve for Fan.

Fan 0-0 Robertson (1-1)

Another healthy crowd inside the Waterfront for this Monday afternoon fare. Robertson getting reds open early so he can go on the attack. Attack always the name of the game for the Melburnian potter. Tries to clip a red along top cushion, but just fails to drop. Chance for Fan, but he can only make one as a black off spot comes back out.

Around the tables

10:00 (UK time)

A few results for you from this morning. Higgins winning two frames on the black. O'Brien with breaks of 86 and 82 and Higgins compiling 77 in the fourth frame. Jack Lisowski made a break of 127 in the fourth frame to level at 2-2, but Li Hang won the final two frames to progress.

Welcome back to Belfast

We are down to the last 64 of the Northern Ireland Open at the Waterfront Hall with Masters champion Neil Robertson facing last season's European Masters champion Fan Zhengyi and four-time world champion Mark Selby up against Sam Craigie. Should be another engrossing day on the old green baize.