Mark Allen has dismissed suggestions that he sabotaged his own chances in his previous meeting with Barry Hawkins, as the two prepare to face off again in the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship. The Northern Irishman was accused of playing too slowly during their semi-final at the 2024 UK Championship, a match he lost 6-5 despite leading 4-2 and 5-4.
Snooker legend Steve Davis, commentating for the BBC, questioned Allen's tactics at the time. 'It's tough sometimes playing this game and it does feel like both players are dragging each other down a bit,' Davis said. 'But question marks on whether Mark Allen is slightly sabotaging his own ability by playing a little bit slowly.'
Allen, however, has now hit back at the sabotage claims, insisting he was simply struggling with his form. 'I got what I deserved in the end,' he admitted after the defeat in York. 'I didn't take advantage of the chances I had, and I had quite a few. It's agonising because I got so close, despite playing poorly.'
Since then, Allen has progressed to the quarter-finals at The Crucible after seeing off qualifier Zhang Anda and 2025 world champion Kyren Wilson. Hawkins, meanwhile, defeated three-time champion Mark Williams and two-time runner-up Matthew Stevens to set up the rematch.
Allen remains focused on the task ahead. 'Losing any Triple Crown semi-final is always hard to take, but I think I've turned the corner this week,' he said. 'It's disappointing now, but there are plenty of positives.'
