Northern Ireland Open: Mark Allen survived a scare to advance to the second round in Belfast

Allen is generally happy with his form and with the influence of new coach Chris Henry who has helped him this season.

“People say I’m having an up and down season, but I won a tournament and reached the semi-finals of another big event in China. [the Wuhan Open] So there is a lot to be positive about.

“Sure, there have been some bad performances but a lot of people on the tour will bite your hand off in the season I’ve had so far.

“When you’re winning and competing at events but you’re still not satisfied with the level of your game, that’s a good sign.

“I feel like we still have a lot to work on but we’re doing the right things on the training table and I’m starting to do better things as well – getting back in the gym and trying to lose a bit of weight, so all those things together should pay off.”

Earlier on Monday, British Open winner and Masters champion Shaun Murphy defeated David Lilley 4-0 to continue his good form.

The world number nine, who lost to Mark Williams in the recent Xi’an Grand Final, broke breaks of 73, 69, 115 and 67 to advance to a second-round meeting with Elliot Slessor, who beat Fan Zhengyi 4-3.

World No. 13 Barry Hawkins defeated Zach Soretti 4-0, Yuan Sijun defeated Daniel Wells 4-1, Zhou Yuelong defeated Dylan Emery 4-2, and Ireland’s Aaron Hill prevailed 4-1 over Lee Bevan to book a second-round showdown with Hawkins.

Jimmy Robertson beat Stuart Bingham 4-2 in the evening match.