Mark Allen

8Jan 2013

Provisional World Ranking: 9

Masters form 2008-12: -/Q/Q/S/L16

With a series of offensive comments, Allen appears to be trying to emulate his legendary compatriot Alex Higgins as the snooker player tabloids love to talk about, and authorities love to hate. An attempt to ramp up his grudge match against Marco Fu at the UK Championship fell flat, but if he can concentrate on his snooker then Allen would be a live contender for this year's Masters. He has few equals in the breakbuilding department and last year's creditable defeat to Judd Trump in the UK final pointed towards many more big occasion appearances.