CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR WITH TV TABLES

The choice of which matches make it on to the TV tables is often a subject for heated debate – not least from the players, who have been known to query why their encounter is not rated as a more desirable proposition than some other.

Such decisions are usually made by some combination of the broadcaster, promoter and tournament director. And on the Tuesday evening in Chengdu it was Stuart Bingham asking the question as to why his Wednesday night match against Mark Allen – a repeat of the previous month’s Shanghai Masters final – was not down as one of the two matches to be televised.

At that stage the Ronnie O’Sullivan/Li Hang game had been put on No1 table the following evening, with the winner of Judd Trump/Jamie Burnett v Peter Ebdon slotted in on No2.

As it turned out Trump suffered a shock defeat to the Scot, prompting a rethink and Bingham got his wish of a televised table after all. Unfortunately for the world No10, what went out to the watching millions was a 6-4 defeat to Allen, who gained a measure of revenge for Shanghai.

ALLEN SHEDS DISAPPOINTMENT TO WOW FANS

Mark Allen did himself a lot of credit after what must have been a difficult defeat to Stuart Bingham in the Shanghai Masters final for all sorts of reasons. First and foremost he looked flat from the start, gave himself a big mountain to climb and then missed chances to get back close to Bingham and put some real pressure on the world No11.

In addition to not playing to his best, Allen became frustrated with some worsening table conditions but made very little mention of that in his post-match press conference. And then there was losing to a player who he has not always seen eye to eye with after labelling Bingham a “bottler” and triggering something of a war of words three years ago.

But there was clear evidence in the arena afterwards and in some respectful comments that there has been a thawing of relations in that department. And while standing under such circumstances as the loser in the arena for a very long time before the presentation ceremony would test anyone, Allen made use of the time to force a smile and go round the arena signing autographs and posing for pictures with Chinese fans, with whom he retains a strong following.

Photograph by Monique Limbos

ALLEN PREPARES FOR FINAL WITH THE FOOTBALL

Mark Allen had Saturday night off after his superb afternoon comeback semi-final win over world champion and world No1 Mark Selby – and chose to spend it taking advantage of one of the perks of the Regal Shanghai East Asia hotel used by the players.

The 12th-floor VIP Executive lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows looking out Skybox-style over the Shanghai East Asia Stadium, and on the Saturday night the home side – in 4th place in the Chinese Super League – hosted champions and league leaders Guangzhou Evergrande, managed by former Italy and Juventus boss Marcelo Lippi.

And Allen spent a relaxing evening before Sunday’s final with a pizza in the comfortable seats enjoying a magnificent view of the proceedings.

The goalkeepers at Shanghai East Asia are coached by former England, Spurs and Leicester keeper Ian Walker, and in the first half his charge was all that stood between Guangzhou and a cricket score. But the club with by far away the biggest budget in China kicked clear in the second half and the match finished 3-0 to Evergrande.

Photograph by Monique Limbos