2024 World Grand Prix: Mark Allen Gives His Thoughts on Playing Ronnie O’Sullivan

In an exclusive post-match interview with SportsBoom, Mark Allen discussed his stellar performance in the World Grand Prix, securing a notable 4-2 victory over the formidable Jack Lisowski. The Pistol demonstrated exceptional form, showcasing his prowess on the snooker table.

In a captivating display from the onset, Mark Allen set the stage ablaze with dazzling century breaks of 103 and 110, treating the crowd to a snooker masterclass. Jack Lisowski swiftly countered, showcasing his prowess with a high break of 93, evening the match at 2-2 with a solid 75 break.

Undeterred, Allen reclaimed control with a brilliant third frame, securing another century break of 108. Despite Lisowski's efforts, Allen's relentless pursuit left his opponent struggling to regain momentum.

As tension escalated, Allen sealed victory in spectacular fashion. Although narrowly missing a potential fourth century, an 82-break proved sufficient as he secured the match with a 4-2 triumph, advancing to the next stage of the tournament.

Allen, who considers Lisowski to be one of the toughest first-round opponents, reflected on his performance, highlighting the quality of his game. Despite a minor lapse in concentration, Allen remarked, "I missed a black and three one, but other than that, I didn't really make any mistakes." The small errors he did commit were forced by Lisowski, who impressed with his outstanding safety play – a facet not commonly associated with his style of play.

Acknowledging the unpredictability of snooker, Allen admitted, "I felt complete control, but then he [Lisowski] turned up and then didn't see a ball for two frames. I didn't feel like I'd done anything wrong really, but that's what he can do to you."

Looking ahead at the tournament draw, Allen discussed potential matchups, including the next round against Zhang Anda. Remaining focused on his game, he stated, "I haven't really looked any further than that. If I'm in the quarters or semis come the weekend, I'll be a match for anyone. I don't really care too much about who I play, just about how I play."

As the defending champion of the World Grand Prix, Allen expressed confidence in his ability to make a deep run. He emphasised, "I do believe if I get here to Friday or Saturday, I'm more than capable of going on to win this tournament." Allen aims to build on his recent successes, eyeing prestigious titles like the Players Championships and Tour Championships later in the year, two titles which are both currently held by Shaun Murphy. 

Addressing potential challengers, including the legendary Ronnie O'Sullivan, Allen remains unfazed. Reflecting on their past encounters, he remarked, "Honestly, it was no different for me than playing Ronnie in any other tournament because it's always a big occasion when you play Ronnie."

Mark Allen also shared valuable insights on the controversy surrounding Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter. Allen emphasised the mental challenge of facing O'Sullivan, stating, "You can't play the occasion when you play Ronnie. You almost need to forget you're going up against him or he'll get in your head." 

“I didn't really shy away from it. I've beat him in the world championships. I've beat him twice in the Masters, so it just so happened on that day. He was a little bit too good for me. He played flawless snooker all day,” Allen commented on his experience playing O’Sullivan in the UK Championships, showcasing how Ali Carter may have not mentally prepared himself for the encounter.