Antrim’s Mark Allen is world No. 1 despite withdrawing from World Championships
Mark Allen has toasted achieving one of his ‘lifelong goals’ as he prepares to become the first snooker player from Northern Ireland to top the world rankings.
The Antrim cueman achieved the feat despite withdrawing from the World Championship in the second round and will be confirmed as the new world No. 1 when the official ranking list is updated on Monday night after the tournament. It turns out.
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump were later sent off after losing the final frame 13-12 to John Higgins at the Crucible, but both needed at least the final spot to take the top spot in the world rankings. It ensured that Allen would not be overtaken and solidified his position at the summit.
O’Sullivan, who needed to wrap up his world title bid to retain his number one spot, and Trump, who would have sealed his spot had he reached the final in Sheffield, faced Stuart Bingham and Jack Jacques respectively in the quarter-finals. Lost to Jones. finals of the contest.
Allen, who won three ranking events throughout the 2022/23 season and two more in 2023/24, wrote on social media: It’s not how I wanted to get there, but I accept it.
“We’ve won six games, a runner-up and countless semi-finals in the last two seasons. This is my reward. Now I need to stay consistent to stay there.”