Allen secures first win of season to qualify for Wuhan Open

World No. 1 Mark Allen progressed to the last 64 of the Wuhan Open on Tuesday by completing a 5-1 win over women’s world champion Bai Yulu at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.

The Northern Irishman got his season up and running in style with breaks of 58 and 102 against Bai, who produced a fine 69 to win the fourth frame in the qualifying round.

Allen opted to miss the Championship League in Leicester before losing an epic battle 6-5 to Pang Junxu in the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters earlier this month.

He will face Welshman Jamie Clarke in the second round in China.

Former Crucible semi-finalist Marco Fu produced a vintage scoring performance to complete a 5-1 win over world No. 23 Zhou Yuelong with breaks of 64, 59, 105, and 57 too good for Zhou, who made two 50-plus breaks of his own.

There was also an impressive 5-1 win for world No. 87 Andrew Pagett in dumping talented Chinese potter Lyu Haotian.

Judd Trump is the defending champion at the tournament following his 10-7 win over Ali Carter in last year’s final.

His match against Antoni Kowalski has been held over to the finals venue with Ronnie O’Sullivan facing Mitchell Mann in Wuhan.

• Marco Fu 5-1 Zhou Yuelong
• Mark Allen 5-1 Bai Yulu
• Andrew Pagett 5-1 Lyu Haotian
• Dylan Emery 5-1 Lim Kok Leong
• Xiao Guodong 5-1 Haydon Pinhey
• Louis Heathcote 5-4 Thepchaiya Un-Nooh

Meanwhile, qualifying continues on Tuesday afternoon with Neil Robertson meeting Ken Doherty in a battle of former world champions with the final stage of the event being held between October 6-12 in Wuhan, live on Eurosport and discovery+.