Mark Allen defeats Aaron Hill in ‘all-Ireland’ clash at British Open

Allen book-ended his match with centuries, beginning with a 102 break and adding a 56 in the next to establish a two-frame advantage.

The world No 3 recovered from a 50-point deficit to claim frame three and while Hill came out on top in a scrappy fourth, it proved only a temporary reprieve as Allen then knocked in a 101 to secure a 4-1 victory.

Allen will face either Hammad Miah or Ben Mertens in the next round.

On Monday, Allen had labelled the British Open "absolutely embarrassing" and said the table on which he beat Gary Wilson in Monday's first round should be "burned".

The world number three defeated Wilson 4-3 but at the Centaur in Cheltenham, however the win did little to appease his anger.

"The conditions out there are absolutely embarrassing," Allen told ITV.

"It's some of the worst weather outside and they've left the massive transport doors open. It's so cold, it's so humid, out there.

"The table needs to be burned.

"The cushions are unplayable, uncontrollable. It was heavy. The speed was decent.

"There's new guys doing the tables this year and they're clearly not up to it.

"I pride myself on preparing properly for tournaments with good conditions and you turn up and you don't get them. It's not good enough.

"I complain every single tournament, fill in table report sheets, match report sheets and nothing ever changes."

After his televised rant he took to X to apologise to to tv reporter Rob Walker.

Allen posted: "After having some time to calm down I'd like to apologise to Rob Walker for that interview. My anger wasn't directed at him and he definitely deserved a better interview. My frustrations were 100% at the conditions which frankly haven't been anywhere near good enough this season."

Fresh from winning the English Open on Sunday, Neal Robertson also overcame Scotland's Chris Totten by the same score.