'Champion' Mark Allen delivers '10 out of 10' battling performance in beating Elliot Slessor at English Open
By Alex Livie
Published 20/09/2025 at 14:35 GMT+1
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The English Open has reached the semi-final stage, and Mark Allen is still in the hunt for glory after battling his way through to the last four at the Brentwood Centre in Essex. He fought back from the brink of defeat against Ding Junhui and Elliot Slessor, and faces Jak Jones. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the English Open, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
'Never seen anything like it' - Allen pulls off heroic comeback to beat Slessor
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jimmy White has lavished praise on Mark Allen, saying his battling skills are "10 out of 10".
The Northern Irishman has not made life easy for himself at this week’s English Open, as he won a decider against Stuart Bingham and had to fight back from 3-0 and 4-0 down against Ding Junhui and Elliot Slessor respectively.
Against Slessor, Allen was 57-0 down in the deciding frame but pulled the win out of the fire in the early hours of Saturday morning at the Brentwood Centre in Essex.
Allen told TNT Sports that he had a poor night’s sleep, but is confident an afternoon "nap" will have him firing on all cylinders for his clash with Jak Jones on Saturday evening.
TNT Sports expert White describes Allen’s win over Slessor as "absolutely incredible" and praised his mental fortitude.
"Absolutely incredible," White said on TNT Sports. "He has such self-belief. He was 3-0 down to Ding Junhui and could not make 20, and somehow won that match 4-3.
"Last night was a bit concerning how he was 4-0 down as he had chances in most of the frames. Elliot Slessor looked like he was going to win 5-0.
"Allen, 10 out of 10, this guy is never beaten.
"He is now in the semi-finals, new cloth, new conditions. Maybe he will play better."
White’s fellow pundit Alan McManus added: "What a battler, what a fighter, what a champion."
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Allen has not been happy with his form all week, but remains hopeful his work with Chris Henry will pay off.
"It was a struggle," Allen said. "I am happy to get through that match, a good comeback, but Elliot deserved to win that match. He played better than I did. I was just hanging on for dear life.
"Very happy to get over the line. Not the way I wanted to win, but a win is a win."
Allen was on the practice table on Saturday lunchtime and added: "I am trying to iron some stuff out.
"I am not sure how I turned that around. I managed to win and get over the line.
"The game is not always easy and you have to win ugly sometimes. It would be nice to start playing well.
"I did not sleep and I took a while to switch off. But I will get a nap this afternoon and will hopefully be fine for tonight."
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Slessor fails to hide frustration after missing key shot - 'He's absolutely enraged'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Reflecting on his work with Henry, Allen said: "I feel like I need to get as much time on the table with him as I can.
"I am not happy with where my game is at, but I do feel like I am going in the right direction and I feel the work with Chris is paying off. Hopefully, it is a sign of big things to come."
Prior to Allen’s clash with Jones, four-time world champion Mark Selby is in action against Zhou Yuelong.
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Watch and stream top snooker action, including the English Open, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
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