English Open 2025: How ‘nervous’ Mark Allen overcame fatigue, Zhou Yuelong to win epic final - ‘It's make or break’

Mark Allen admitted he was suffering from nerves during his victory in the English Open final, having been taken to a fifth successive deciding frame. The world No. 10 surrendered a 7-3 lead against Zhou Yuelong to trail 8-7, but managed to take the final two frames and clinch his 12th ranking title. Allen said he was "nervous" during the final session, but "switched on" after going behind.

Mark Allen admitted he was suffering from nerves and fatigue after surviving a spirited fightback by Zhou Yuelong to win the English Open. 

Allen had a 6-2 advantage after the first session of the final and took a 7-3 lead when play resumed in the evening, but lost five frames on the spin to fall 8-7 behind. 

The Northern Irishman managed to level the match before taking the deciding frame after midnight on Sunday to secure his first trophy at Brentwood and his 12th career ranking title. 

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The world No. 10 said nerves and tiredness played a role in his dip in form in the second session, but that falling behind for the first time in the match helped to alleviate these factors. 

"I thought I battled really, really hard in that second session," Allen said. "He played some good stuff, put me under pressure. I was nervous, and I just missed a few that I shouldn't have. 

"Then at 8-7, I suddenly switched on a bit. It's a good trait to have, but I don't want to keep relying on it. But I felt as good as I did at any part of the match in those last two frames, which is a positive sign."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

He added: "I haven't really slept much all week because I've been in here most of the time. I felt so tired all day. And honestly, at 8-7, I just thought, well, this is it.

"It's make or break, isn't it, whenever you're 8-7 [down]. And I think that gave me a bit more energy."

After a comfortable victory in the opening round, Allen was taken to a deciding frame in his subsequent five matches en route to the title.

In previous rounds, it had been the 39-year-old making the comebacks, having been 3-0 down against Ding Junhui before winning 4-3.

He was even further behind against Elliot Slessor - 4-0, only to win 5-4 - and was 5-3 down against Jak Jones in the semi-finals before triumphing 6-3.

Discussing his succession of deciding frames, Allen said: "It's not the week that I expected, but I battled hard and I think I've given value for money.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"I was talking to my brother yesterday, and I said: ‘Just tune in for the decider.' At 6-2, I wasn't really hoping that it went 8-8, but then at 8-7 down, I’m praying for a decider." 

The Northern Irishman later joked: "It's not good for any of my family sitting watching. 

"My dad always jokes that he's got a set of jump leads to restart his heart every time he watches me play. So hopefully they were on charge tonight."

Zhou denied maiden ranking title

Allen denied Zhou a first-ever ranking title but believes the Chinese player will have his hands on plenty of silverware after what he saw in Brentwood on Sunday.

"I really feel for Zhou because he probably deserved that today," Allen said. "With the character that he showed from 6-2 down to get himself in that position at 8-7.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"On another day, I don't fluke the snooker, and he wins 9-7, and he probably would have deserved it at that point. 

"So I think he'll win many, many tournaments if he gets over that line soon. I'm sorry he had to be on the wrong end of it today."

It was Zhou’s fourth ranking event final, having also fallen at the last hurdle at the European Masters, the Shoot Out and the Northern Ireland Open.

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The world No. 32 said he was "very happy" to fight back in the final session after Allen had "dominated" in the afternoon.

He said Sunday’s contest was a "good experience" and that he will land his first ranking title "hopefully soon". 

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