Ronnie O'Sullivan insists Northern Ireland Open champion Mark Allen 'should win a World Championship title'

Mark Allen was jubilant once again at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast as he retained his Northern Ireland Open title in very fine fashion after beating Zhou Yuelong in the final. Allen delighted the home fans with his stunning recovery from an early deficit and roared to a memorable victory in the evening session. Ronnie O'Sullivan believes a world title will await for The Pistol.

Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan has insisted that Northern Ireland Open champion Mark Allen "should win a World Championship title".

Allen successfully defended his Northern Ireland title after a stunning 9-4 comeback victory over Zhou Yuelong in front of his raucous home crowd at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

The 36-year-old was trailing 4-1 after a slow start but fired back relentlessly by claiming the next eight successive frames to retain the Alex Higgins Trophy in style. He also clinched a £80,000 prize and a place in the Champion of Champions event as a result of the triumph.

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O'Sullivan and fellow Eurosport expert Jimmy White were on hand to congratulate Allen and pay tribute to his performance in retaining his title in memorable fashion in front of his home fans.

"I don't think anyone has ever questioned Mark's talent and ability when he gets it right," O'Sullivan told Eurosport.

"He is a world champion - he should win a world title with his game and his temperament.

"With the way that he is playing at the moment, the consistency levels, I'm sure he feels in a good place.

"All you can be doing is going in the right direction. As long as you are going in the right direction, things can happen."

O'Sullivan on 'fantastic' moment for Allen celebrating with his family

Video credit: TNT Sports

White added: "He is always dangerous. We have always known that he can score and make the game look very simple when he is in the balls.

"I think he has added the safety game to it and the calmness. He takes a lot more time.

"He always fancies himself to beat everyone, and you have to think that you are the best in the world.

"Of course, he will be very dangerous going forward."

Watch as jubilant Allen clinches Northern Ireland Open title with stunning century

Video credit: TNT Sports

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The Home Nations series is back and it is live and exclusive on discovery+. You can also watch Seventh Heaven, a two-part show about Ronnie O’Sullivan’s historic World Championship win last season, on demand now.

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