Former UK Champion Mark Allen has withdrawn from the World Mixed Doubles snooker tournament for personal reasons. He was set to partner with Rebecca Kenna at the event in Manchester this weekend but has decided not to take part, just weeks before the World Championships in Sheffield. The Northern Irishman will be replaced by Mark Selby, a four-time Crucible winner who previously played with Kenna in 2022 and reached the final, only to lose to Australian Neil Robertson and Mink Nutcharut of Thailand. Other pairings in the tournament include Judd Trump and Baipat Siripaporn, as well as Luca Brecel and Reanne Evans.
Despite Allen’s absence, the anticipation for the World Mixed Doubles tournament remains high, especially for Rebecca Kenna who is ranked No. 3 in the women’s game. Kenna expressed her excitement for the tournament, stating that she is more settled this time compared to her nerves during the previous event. She described the previous tournament as overwhelming due to it being at the start of her journey on the tour, but she is looking forward to the event this time around. Kenna views the World Mixed Doubles as one of the last big events on the tour for her and is eager to participate.
Mark Allen, who is 38 years old, has had a successful season, winning two ranking event titles – the Shoot Out and the Players’ Championship. Despite withdrawing from the World Mixed Doubles, Allen will still compete in the upcoming Tour Championship in Manchester, where he is set to face John Higgins in the first round. This will be his final tournament before heading to Sheffield for the World Championships, an event in which he has been a two-time semi-finalist. Allen’s decision to pull out of the World Mixed Doubles does not diminish the excitement surrounding the tournament for fans and players.
Mark Selby, who will be stepping in to partner Rebecca Kenna at the World Mixed Doubles, has a strong track record as a four-time Crucible winner. Selby previously played with Kenna in the tournament in 2022, reaching the final alongside her. The duo will look to build on their past performance and aim for success in the upcoming event. With other top pairings like Judd Trump and Baipat Siripaporn, along with Luca Brecel and Reanne Evans, the competition is expected to be fierce and exciting for snooker fans.
The World Mixed Doubles tournament promises to showcase some thrilling snooker action, with top players competing alongside each other in unique partnerships. The defending champions, Australian Neil Robertson and Mink Nutcharut of Thailand, will reunite to defend their title. The tournament presents an opportunity for players like Kenna to demonstrate their skills and compete on a big stage. The event is viewed as an exciting opportunity for fans to witness the combination of talent and teamwork in the world of snooker. Fans can watch the top snooker action, including the World Championship, live on Discovery+, the Eurosport app, and Eurosport.com.
