UK Championships

Ding Junhui is through to the final after a 6-3 victory over Tom Ford.
The Leicester man had his chances but could not convert at critical junctures and paid the penalty.

In the evening it was Mark Allen who prevailed in a black ball final frame decider against Jack Lisowski. The Northern Irishman was playing catch up all the way through but found an extra gear at 3-5 down to level at 5-5.
Both players had chances in the final frame but after a battle on the final 6 colours it was Allen who cleared to seal a 6-5 triumph.

Lisowski started well but couldn't shake Allen off enough.

Ding-Allen should be a good final.

Mark Allen is the UK Champion after a stirring fightback from 1-6 down to beat Ding Junhui 10-7. Looking back winning the last frame of the first session was important.

The Northern Irishman produced a combination of controlled break building and excellent tactical play to stifle his opponent upon the resumption.

A proper gutsy tournament win for Allen.
He was not at his best but found pathways to win and every credit to him.
He is having an excellent season.

A 2nd Triple Crown win for Allen. Fair play, he got it done against Lisowski AND Ding. Ding must be pretty cheesed off, another big title would have done wonders for his status, though being runner-up should be worth a few bob.

By virtue of losing the final Ding has missed out on a spot at The Masters in January.
A double blow for him.

On the plus side his ranking points have still received a major boost.

UK Snooker Championship 2023: Match schedule, BBC coverage and format

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/67422365

The qualifiers started yesterday on Discovery Plus. It was a good first day for showcasing what the top women could do.
Women's World no.1 Mink Nutcharut won her first match against a male professional this season, beating Adam Duffy 6-3.
12 times Women's World Champion Reanne Evans made 2 over 60s breaks to take a 4-2 lead over Ryan Thomerson, but failed to notch up a second win over a male opponent this season, losing 6-5.
Rebecca Kenna lost 6-0 and current Women's World Champion Baipat Siripaporn didn't enter, although she did take home £12,500 just for turning up at the Champion of Champions. Mink Nutcharut only won £2,500 for reaching the last 112, and she's up against a strong opponent, Michael White, in the next round.

Mink Nutcharut has taken World no.65 Michael White to 5-5 and they ran out of time so have to come back later to play the final frame.

I'm speechless! Never have I seen a woman play such good snooker! Mink's potting was accurate and consistent, it looks like she's got her angles worked out for safety play. Whether she wins or loses she can be proud of how well she's played. If she doesn't go on to win the final frame I'm sure she'll be back to put a scare into more of the top male players, and maybe even beat some of them. If she does win, who knows how far she can go. There could be a story brewing here.

No dream win for Mink this time. She had her chance, 11 down with just the last 3 colours remaining she did a brilliant long pot on the blue but missed a tricky pink in the middle which cost her the match. If she keeps playing like this I'm sure a breakthrough will come.

As for Michael White, he had to win to remain on the tour. No.65 is an awkward rank to be at when only the top 64 and those who have a tour card are guaranteed entry in several ranking tournaments.

Well done them both then