Mark Williams and Mark Allen go head to head at Alexandra Palace in the first round of the Masters, with both players harbouring realistic ambitions of lifting one of snooker’s most prestigious trophies.
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As part of the sport’s coveted Triple Crown series, the Masters continues to demand excellence, composure and experience, all of which will be on show when the two Marks meet.
Williams arrives at Ally Pally as a two time Masters champion, having lifted the trophy in 1998 and again in 2003. The Welshman also demonstrated his enduring quality by reaching the final as recently as 2023, reinforcing his status as one of the game’s great competitors on the biggest stages.
Allen has enjoyed success of his own at this event, winning the Masters title in 2018. That triumph was followed by a difficult period, as the Northern Irishman exited in the first round in each of the next five editions. He has responded more positively in recent years, reaching the semi finals in the last two tournaments and restoring confidence at Alexandra Palace.
Williams’ longevity at the top of the sport remains remarkable. Turning professional back in 1992, the Welsh Potting Machine continues to deliver elite level performances well into his fifties. It remains surprising that his last Masters success came more than two decades ago, given the consistency he continues to show.
The 50 year old began the season ranked number three in the world and has already added silverware to his collection by winning the Xi’an Grand Prix. He has also reached the semi finals of the Wuhan Open and progressed to the quarter finals of the British Open and Saudi Arabia Masters, underlining his sustained competitiveness.
Williams has not featured in competitive action since the UK Championship, though he has remained active through a busy schedule of exhibition matches around the world. That activity should ensure sharpness as he steps back into tournament conditions at Alexandra Palace.
Allen’s season has been more mixed, though there have been notable highlights. He claimed the English Open title in September and followed that with semi final appearances at the Northern Ireland Open, Scottish Open and Wuhan Open, demonstrating his ability to contend deep into events.
Those strong runs have been offset by early exits at the UK Championship, Xi’an Grand Prix, Saudi Arabia Masters and British Open. Combined with a Masters record that shows first round defeats in five of his last seven appearances, it raises questions about his reliability at this venue.
That contrast in consistency gives Williams a slight edge heading into the contest. Both players possess the scoring power and tactical awareness to take control, yet the Welshman appears more likely to deliver his best level when it matters most.
