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Last year's beaten finalist Mark Allen is determined to go one step further by winning the 2025 UK Championship which is being held at York's Barbican Centre.
Allen was beaten 10-8 by Judd Trump in the 2025 final and starts this year's campaign with a first-round clash against Marco Fu on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Northern Irishman said: "I was so close last year and this time I want to go one better. This is the second biggest tournament in my eyes and the atmosphere for the final here last year was the best I have ever witnessed in snooker.
"I feel confident but you need more than that, you need to perform well on the day. I was struggling with my game earlier in the season but when I won the PTC event in Belgium I ironed a few things out and since then I have played well. I really fancy my chances."
Allen landed his first ranking title in March with a 10-1 win over Stephen Lee in the Haikou World Open in China and has moved up to number eight in the world rankings after achieving victories against Mark Selby and Trump this year.
Allen beat Fu in last year's quarter-final 6-5, and said of Sunday's rematch: "He's one of those players that is a match for anyone at the top of his game. He's been struggling for form and the only match he has won of note recently is the UK Championship qualifier.
"I don't think you could have a much tougher first round draw, but I'm playing more than well enough to win."
If the tournament seedings go to form, Allen would have to overcome Matthew Stevens, John Higgins, Selby and Trump to lift the trophy on 9th January.
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