By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2024-11-24 18:19:07 | Updated at 2024-11-24 20:26:31
2 hours ago
Image source, Getty Images
Mark Allen will play either Si Jiahui or Wu Yize in the last 16 of the UK Championship
Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist at York Barbican
Former winner and world number three Mark Allen moved into the last 16 of the UK Championship with a hard-fought 6-4 victory over qualifier Jackson Page.
Northern Ireland's Allen, who won the tournament two years ago, only made one break of 50 against the Welshman in York.
It was a fine effort from 23-year-old Page, 41st in the rankings, in his first match at the later stages of the tournament.
He led 3-2 but Allen, an 11-time ranking event winner, made his experience count as he won four of the next five frames to secure victory.
Carter into second round for first time since 2012
In the other match in the afternoon session, England's Ali Carter defeated Welshman Ryan Day 6-4.
Carter has twice lost in the semi-finals of the UK Championship, but had not won a match in the later stages of the tournament since his 9-8 loss to Shaun Murphy in the final four in 2012.
"It's all about getting a win," said Carter. "Wins have been hard to come by of late and it has zapped my confidence. It was hard work from start to finish.
"I found the table was quite heavy and to screw back was quite different, but you have to play on whatever the table is like.
"I've had some good times here, but mostly terrible ones. I was 8-4 up in the [2012] semi-finals against Shaun Murphy and that went wrong 9-8 and I've not had too much success since then.
"Everything is so dependent on doing well in the big ranking events. I've not had a good run here for a long time so let's hope it leads to one this year."
