Story perspectives

Record 100-Minute Snooker Frame Sparks Re-Rack Controversy

5/2/2026

Summary

Allen’s Record Frame

Mark Allen and Wu Yize played a frame lasting 100 minutes 21 seconds, a tournament record.
Allen’s foul on the black ended a 55-minute stalemate and let Wu win 88-66 after 30.
Referee Marcel Eckardt warned players and, after Rob Spencer’s instruction, gave three shots to avoid a re-rack.
Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Kyren Wilson criticised handling.
World Snooker maintained it was applied correctly and would not change re-rack.

Summary

Murphy Advances

Shaun Murphy defeated Fan Zhengyi 10-9 and Zhao Xintong 13-10 to reach the quarter-finals.
Wu Yize advanced to the semi-finals by beating Hossein Vafaei 13-8 and later drew 7-7 with Mark Allen.
Hossein Vafaei knocked out Judd Trump 13-12 in the quarter-finals.
Sessions ran on Sat 02 May, Sun 03 May and Mon 04 May, with the final set for Mon 04 May at 19:00.

History

Historical Context

In 2005, the World Snooker Championship featured a 123-minute frame between John Higgins and Mark Selby, setting a televised record. The match, overseen by referee Jan Verhaas, concluded with Selby winning 13-12 after a decisive 55-minute safety battle and a £100,000 prize for the victor. Similarly, the 2024 tournament saw Mark Allen and Wu Yize contest a 100-minute-21-second frame, prompting officials Marcel Eckardt and World Snooker to enforce re-rack protocols amid criticism from Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry. These recurring marathon frames underscore ongoing debates over timing rules, influencing future rule revisions and broadcast scheduling for professional snooker.

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Allen’s Record Frame

Mark Allen and Wu Yize played a frame lasting 100 minutes 21 seconds, a tournament record.
Allen’s foul on the black ended a 55-minute stalemate and let Wu win 88-66 after 30.
Referee Marcel Eckardt warned players and, after Rob Spencer’s instruction, gave three shots to avoid a re-rack.
Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Kyren Wilson criticised handling.
World Snooker maintained it was applied correctly and would not change re-rack.

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