Haikou and Good Night

Mark Allen retains Haikou World Open
 
Yesterday Mark Allen became the 13^th different ranking event winner of the season after defeating Matthew Stevens 10-4 in a one sided final.

The Antrim potter was a big favourite after his exemplary display against John Higgins in the semi finals and he started the stronger racing into a 3-0 lead. The remaining 6 frames were shared as Stevens just about kept himself in the match.

Resuming at 6-3 Allen nicked the first frame and dealt a body blow to his opponent and from there won three of the next four to win the title with relative ease. Allen has shown some signs of maturing this week and has been able to raise his game when it matters and conserve energy at other times of the week. These strengths will be invaluable if he wants to win the marathon of the mind that is the World Championships, which begins in Seven weeks.

The tournament as a whole was very entertaining and there were very few shocks, maybe a sign that the players are really upping their game in the lead up to the Crucible. This event needs to look at ticket prices however as all week it appeared empty, even the final had more empty seats than filled.

There was a return to snooker for ITV who covered the event all week very professionally and it was very nice to hear Clive Everton commentating again on a full ranking event. Hopefully the BBC took notice of the Commentator/Colour Commentator roles that were employed by Everton and Foulds and look at their own commentary situation for the future.

The PTC Finals will take place in Galway on the 12^th of March and Beyond the Baize will cover this event in full.