For the opening round of the 2019 Snooker Masters in London, world number 14 Luca Brecel knocked out the defending champion, Mark Allen of England, 6-5 to cue up the action at the Alexandra Palace. The Belgian now awaits the winner between China's Ding Junhui and Englishman Jack Lisowski.
After falling behind 3-1, Allen battled back to take the next two frames, with a break of 136 leveling the contest at 3-all. Brecel tops that with a 140 to go 4-3 in front. And the "Belgian Bullet" is soon a point away from the win at 5-4.
But the defending champion wouldn't go down without a fierce fight. Allen leveled things at 5-all to set up a decisive 11th frame.
Mark Allen prepares to strike a ball during the Masters 2019 First Round in London, January 13, 2019. /VCG Photo
The 22-year-old extended his advantage after sinking the red in the side and wrapped up the match with a break of 58 to complete a 6-5 victory, moving him into the last eight.
Right after Mark Allen's defeat, Welshman Ryan Day completed a day of upsets to defeat John Higgins 6-5 in the first round at Alexandra Palace.
Higgins finished with a 128, the highest break of the match, to clinch the decisive frame.
Masters 2019 First Round games:
Ding Junhui vs Jack Lisowski
Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Stuart Bingham
Mark Selby vs Stephen Maguire
Judd Trump vs Kyren Wilson
Barry Hawkins vs Shaun Murphy
Mark Williams vs Neil Robertson