There was major disappointment for Mark Allen in Milton Keynes as he came up just short in his quest for British Open glory.
Antrim ace Allen lost the final 10-7 to 42-year-old Welshman Ryan Day who enjoyed the most famous win of his career - a day after taking about withdrawing from the event.
After an unconvincing win over Robbie Williams in the semi-final on Saturday, the Manchester United fan said: "To be honest, if I could concede the match now, I would. I'd go home and play golf then watch the Manchester derby with a couple of beers." Boy did he make the right decision!
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Trimmed down Allen just never got going in the evening session live on ITV4 and afterwards he suggested conditions were not ideal.
"I wouldn't say it was nerves. I just completely lost my action and lost faith in the table, if I'm honest. It played completely different in the second session," he said.
"Ryan adapted so much better than I did. He went and won the match. I was just trying to hang on.
"He looked super aggressive at the end. You have to go and win these tournaments and I just didn't do that today."
With Allen back into the world's top 10 he was quick to stress the positives after his impressive run to the final.
"My form is decent and I'm getting my life in order off the table too so I've lots to be thankful for. I've lost a snooker match at the end of the day, it's not the end of the world.
"It is what it is. I've got a great team behind me, great partner. I have two little girls to go home to tomorrow so it's not all bad."
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