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

IVY AT SHANGHAI MASTERS AHEAD OF WEDDING

Referee Zhu Ying, or Ivy as she is known on the tour, drops in at the Shanghai Masters although it just for some filming in the arena before the final ahead of her forthcoming wedding rather than officiating, having been given a break by the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association. Ivy also takes the opportunity to generously hand out one a memento of her wedding to tournament office colleagues and members of the media.

Ivy, who has risen fast through the ranks of the referees, has not figured on the roster so far this season, with the list of Chinese officials being submitted by the CBSA for the events in China and elsewhere, and at this time it is not clear exactly when she will be back in top-level action. But we at Inside Snooker would like to take this opportunity to wish her all the very best for her big day.

Photograph courtesy of World Snooker

DING ACCEPTS SEMIS LOSS AFTER LONG BREAK

Ding Junhui expressed a mixture of emotions on Chinese social media site Weibo immediately following his defeat to Stuart Bingham in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals. The 27-year-old has of course for the most part dealt much better with the pressures of playing at home in the last 18 months, but he was off the pace against Bingham for most of the contest.

Ding said: “I was angry with myself during the match and tried to calm down, but it was difficult. But overall I accept the performance and what I have done at this tournament, and am not too disappointed about going out in the semi-finals. I lost, but no one died. It has been three months since I picked up a cue, I have been on holiday and done other things. It is now time to get into the season properly.”

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

FLY ME TO THE MOON

As is usually the case at the Shanghai Masters, the tournament runs over a national holiday in China, the Mid Autumn festival, which sees many Chinese returning home for a family celebration. Much of Shanghai was closed on the Monday, including the subway and more bizarrely the hotel swimming pool. In origin the festival is for lunar watching – and there may have been a fair bit of that for those suffering badly from jetlag on the trip, notably Alan McManus who branded himself ‘Dracula’ after beating Ronnie O’Sullivan for being up all night and sleeping all day. Sticking with the lunar theme and generally the ‘when in Shanghai’ activity of hailing the moon god of immortality ‘moon cakes’ are traditionally bought at often vast expense, containing the widest possible array of fillings within the pastry from sausage meat to lotus seed paste.

FERGAL PASSES HIS SCHOOL EXAMINATION

FERGAL O’Brien and Martin Gould were pressed into service spreading the gospel of snooker in Shanghai on a visit to Huimin Middle School.

The educational establishment already boasted a magnificent cuesports facility with around eight full-size snooker tables and over a dozen pool tables.

And Ireland’s O’Brien, along with Gould and WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson, quickly began encouraging the youngsters to get involved with some demonstration and coaching sessions featuring many of the 1,200 students aged between 12 and 18.

O’Brien said: “It is fantastic to see the facilities here, brilliant snooker tables and pool tables as well, and to see so many boys and girls of all different ages playing and having a lot of fun is amazing. It was a like a really good snooker club but in a school.

“I played a few of the kids, and they were very good, the standard was high especially considering how young they were so I’m sure there were future champions out there somewhere.

“We can offer a bit of advice, taking your time and not cueing so fast can help as you rush sometimes when you are nervous, but the main thing at this age is just to enjoy it.”

The experience clearly inspired 'running man' O’Brien, regularly seen pounding the streets during the week despite the high humidity. He later chalked up an impressive 5-1 first-round win over Rob Milkins.

Photograph courtesy of World Snooker