World Open: Mark Allen exits from China event after 5-3 defeat by Daniel Wells
- Published
Mark Allen has won three tournaments this season including last month's Players Championship
World number three Mark Allen exited the World Open in China at the first-round stage after losing 5-3 to Daniel Wells in Yushan.
Wells won the opening two scrappy frames before a break of 72 helped Northern Ireland's Allen draw level at 2-2.
Breaks of 63 and 78 put Wells 4-2 up but Allen cut the margin with a run of 103.
However, 80th-ranked Welshman Wells sealed victory with another 63 break.
Allen has won three events this season, including last month's Players Championship in Telford.
World number two Judd Trump had breaks of 130 and 108 as he clinched an opening 5-2 win over Malaysia's Rory Thor.
England's Trump won the tournament last time it was held in 2019 and will hope to defend that title following its return to the tour after a four-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Belgian world champion Luca Brecel produced breaks of 131, 100 and 94 to reach the last 32 as he overcame Thailand's Manasawin Phetmalaikul 5-1.
England's Shaun Murphy edged a 5-3 win over China's Xu Si while Ali Carter had the same victory margin over Louis Heathcote helped by breaks of 114 and 135.
Mark Selby was given an opening walkover as Adam Duffy withdrew while Ronnie O'Sullivan will be in action against Michael White on Tuesday.
Allen's fellow countryman Jordan Brown will also be in first-round action on Tuesday when he faces England's Chris Wakelin.
Brown reached the first round after a 5-1 win over China's Lan Yuhao in his final qualifying match.