Crucible debutant Tom Ford used 'Fire' by Kasabian,to walk into snookers' biggest stage at this years Betfred.com World Championship for his first round tie with Mark Allen.
The Leicester cueman looked to be in hot form, showing no nerves whilst calmly constructing a 59 break, only breaking down when missing a tricky red to the yellow pocket. Allen the world number 11 replied immediately, with a clinical clearance of 66 to take the opener.
It was soon to be 2-0, with the 'Antrim Ace' making contributions of 26 and 57. Despite being unable to fly over from Ireland due to the volcanic ash in the skies. The semi-finalist from last year showed no signs of his preperation being upset and opened his lead further at 3-0.
The fourth frame saw Ford pot a thin long range black to force a respotted black after clawing his way back into the frame, but his hopes of getting his first frame on the scoreboard were soon dashed after Allen doubled the respotted black to the middle pocket.
Ford who qualified for the final stages after a comprehensive 10-2 victory over Bristols' Judd Trump, returned to the arena after the mid-session interval hoping to produce that type of form, but the missing of routine balls began to plague his game and the talented left-hander from Northern Ireland capitalized on each and everyone of them, extending his lead once again at 5-0.
The margin was quickly extended with Allen looking evermore dominant, making fluent runs of 86 and 58 to open the gap further at 7-0.
The qualifier showed great determination in the next and put his first frame on the board, with the first century of this years Betfred.com World Championship, a run of 107. Allen was not to be outdone and compiled a fine break of 122, only breaking down on the chance of a maximum, after snookering himself on the green. The Irishman attempted to try and fluke the green but it was to no avail.
Allen resumes at 10am Sunday morning needing only two frames the progress to round two, leading Ford 8-1.
Barry Hawkins took a slender 5-4 advantage over the reigning Betfred.com World Champion John Higgins on the opening morning of the 2010 tournament.
Defending Champion Higgins endured a tough opening session as he attempts to become the first player to defend the title since another Scot, Stephen Hendry did so when he won five consecutive world titles between 1992 and 1996.
After he took the first frame Higgins was then forced to sit and watch as Hawkins, making his fifth consecutive apearance at the famous venue, knocked in breaks of 51, 69 and 51 to open a 3-1 lead.
After the interval it was the Scot who fought back to level with a top run of 61. The left hander from Kent then moved back in front with an 84 and followed that with a 58 after Higgins had broken down on 43, for a 5-3 lead.
Breaks of 52 and 44 allowed Higgins to reduce his arrears but he still has plenty to do when they play to a finish tonight. Play resumes at 7pm.
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