Cao produces Sheffield shock as Allen exits

The 21-year-old Chinese rookie, who lives in Sheffield and plays out of the city’s Star Snooker Academy, stunned World Open champion Allen by beating him 10-6 yesterday.

Despite winning last year’s Asian Under-21 Championship, yesterday’s success was his biggest win to date against the world No 11 and sets up a possible second-round meeting with training partner Ding Junhui on Friday.

Manager Garry Baldrey said: “He’s battled well although he felt the nerves at the end. He’s very pleased.

“I feel drained already and it’s only two days into the championship. It’s exciting for everyone at the Academy.”

Cao, who speaks little English and celebrated last night with a group of friends in a Chinese restaurant in the city, will face Ding if he can beat Dominic Dale tomorrow.

The Star Academy has three Chinese players competing at the Crucible this year, Liu Chuang joining Ding and Cao – ranked 81 in the world – in the line-up.

Leading 5-4 overnight, century breaks of 108 and 113 yesterday steered him to the brink of a place in the last 16 at 9-5. Allen responded with 101, and looked to have made it 9-7 when he cleared from blue to black.

There was a wicked twist though. As Allen roared his delight at potting an apparent frame ball, he had not spotted the white heading to a corner pocket, and when it dropped the victory was Cao’s.

Afterwards Allen claimed match officials missed his opponent playing what he called a “blatant push” in frame 10. But Cao, through a translator, responded: “I was just focusing on playing. I didn’t realise if I had fouled. If I fouled, I say sorry. If I didn’t foul, and Mark said that, then I would feel very upset and angry.”