Last update on. From the section Snooker
Mark Allen, who was eliminated from the World Championship in April, stated that he would take a "bit of a rest" from the sport to deal with personal issues
Reanne Evans and Mark Allen, former partners, will meet for the first time Monday at the British Open as professionals.
Evans, a twelve-time women's champion in the world, has been awarded a two year tour card to make her professional.
For her contributions to women's snooker, the 35-year old was awarded an MBE in 2020.
The tournament will not have seeding. Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby were drawn together to relive the World Championship final.
After competing in July's Championship League, Evans will now be playing in the British Open.
This tournament is four months after Allen (also 35) requested that Evans be removed form a television studio at World Championships where she was working in the role of a BBC pundit.
Allen was said to have stated that he didn't want her to be in a TV room where there was a practice desk.
Allen stated in April that he was taking a break from the game to deal with personal issues.
After Selby's 13-7 defeat in the second round of the World Championship, the Northern Irishman said that "there are many things going on the table which I would rather not discuss". He went on to claim that he won the title.
It's difficult to play snooker when you are playing against the best players in the world. "At the moment, I don't have that."
Mandy Fisher, World Women's Snooker president, described Evans' inclusion to the professional tour alongside Ng On-yee of Hong Kong as a "huge event for women in snooker".
The match between Allen and Evans begins at 19:00 BST. The British Open is held in Leicester, with the final taking place on 22 August.
