Northern Ireland snooker star Mark Allen staged an impressive comeback to defeat Mark Williams 6-2 in the first round of the 2026 Masters, showcasing his class despite suffering from illness in the days leading up to the tournament.

The match, featuring two former Masters champions, began with Allen taking the opening frame thanks to a break of 67. Williams, the 50-year-old Welsh veteran, fought back strongly, winning the next two frames to lead 2-1. However, Allen quickly regained control with a 54-point break in frame four, leveling the match at 2-2 before the mid-session interval.

From there, Allen went on a remarkable streak, winning five consecutive frames with breaks of 60, 125, and 70, leaving Williams unable to mount a comeback. The victory marks Allen’s 11th Masters quarter-final appearance.

Allen Overcomes Illness to Shine

Speaking to the BBC after his win, Allen revealed that he had been battling food poisoning in the week leading up to the tournament.

“I felt comfortable, which is weird. I prepare properly for these events but I couldn’t prepare for this at all as I’ve been lying in bed all week with food poisoning. I just thought, ‘go out there and give my best,’” Allen said.

Allen’s resilience under adverse conditions highlights his status as one of snooker’s most consistent performers. Despite the dominant victory, Allen remained grounded about his chances for a repeat Masters title.

“This is my 11th quarter-final [at the Masters], but I’ve only won it once in 2018. I have to sort that out—this is as good a week as any to do that,” Allen added, referencing his 10-7 triumph over Kyren Wilson in the 2018 final.

Mark Williams Frustrated with Performance

For Williams, it was a disappointing afternoon. The Welshman struggled with accuracy, failing to register a single break of 50 and posting a pot success rate of just 71%. After the match, Williams acknowledged his mistakes:

“I was pretty poor. I thought I made it easy for him. It can happen and will happen more. I tried, even though it didn’t look like it.”

Williams’ exit continues a surprising trend in this year’s Masters, where three former world champions have already been eliminated in the opening rounds, including Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby.

Zhao Xintong Powers Past Gary Wilson

The evening session saw reigning world champion Zhao Xintong defeat England’s Gary Wilson 6-2, mirroring Allen’s scoreline. Zhao, who became the first Asian player to win the World Championship in 2025, dominated the match with five half-century breaks, including scores of 50, 51, 54, 72, and 67.

Wilson briefly challenged with a frame win in the sixth, but Zhao’s precision and ruthless safety play ensured the victory. Zhao will now face either John Higgins or Barry Hawkins in the quarter-finals, becoming the third Chinese player to reach this stage of the Masters 2026.

Masters Quarter-Finals Set to Thrill Fans

The 2026 Masters quarter-finals are shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle. Allen will face either world number one Judd Trump or China’s Ding Junhui, while Zhao Xintong’s next opponent will be determined between Higgins and Hawkins. Fans can expect high-quality snooker and intense competition as the tournament moves closer to its climax.

Why This Match Matters

• Allen’s win highlights the resilience and experience of top-tier snooker professionals.
• Zhao Xintong’s success reflects the growing influence of Chinese players in international snooker.
• The Masters continues to produce high-stakes drama, with early-round upsets and veteran champions being tested.

The Alexandra Palace arena is once again set to host unforgettable moments as snooker fans worldwide follow the journey of players like Allen, Williams, and Zhao, all vying for the prestigious Masters crown.