World Snooker Championship sets record for longest frame
The World Snooker Championship witnessed an extraordinary spectacle at the Crucible as Mark Allen and Wu Yize contested the longest frame in tournament history during their semi-final clash, reports BritPanorama.
The remarkable encounter spanned 100 minutes and 21 seconds, shattering the previous record of 85 minutes set by Mark Selby and Yan Bingtao in 2022.
What began as a routine frame devolved into a tactical stalemate gripping both players for nearly an hour. Allen had mounted a stunning comeback earlier in the session, securing five consecutive frames after trailing 6-2 to his 22-year-old Chinese opponent. He also compiled a break of 145, the highest at this year’s championship.
However, the 14th frame proved far from straightforward. A deadlock began when the black ball became lodged over the right corner pocket, trapping all eight remaining reds in an impossible cluster. With Allen holding a commanding 39-13 advantage, the competitors resorted to nudging balls incrementally towards the congested corner, creating what BBC commentator John Parrott described as unprecedented.
“I’ve never seen a frame like it in all my years, I’ve never seen it like this, never this bad,” Parrott said. “These reds are just glued to each other now… Come on ref, you’ve got to do something here. You’ve got to step in. This is just silly.”
The Sheffield crowd grew increasingly restless as the deadlock persisted for over 35 minutes, with spectators sarcastically applauding each safety shot and demanding a re-rack. Referee Marcel Eckardt found himself at the centre of the drama, eventually receiving guidance from tournament director Rob Spencer before issuing an ultimatum to both players.
The official warned that a re-rack would be called unless the impasse was resolved within three shots, explaining to a visibly frustrated Allen, “I was always hoping the black was going to drop in, obviously. But that is not happening.” Left with no alternative, Allen reluctantly potted the black to keep the frame alive, conceding the foul to protect his lead.
When the frame was finally decided, Wu seized the opportunity, overcoming a 43-13 deficit to establish a 61-47 advantage. He ultimately secured the frame 88-66 when the pink dropped, drawing the semi-final level at 7-7.
The reaction from snooker’s greatest champions has been scathing. Six-time world champion Steve Davis labelled the frame an embarrassment to the sport on BBC, stating, “In a nutshell, that frame is an embarrassment to snooker, and the referees’ and the players’ association need to try to work out a way so that never happens again.”
Seven-time champion Stephen Hendry was equally critical, questioning Eckardt’s handling of the situation. “The referee needs to call this, I’m afraid. In my opinion he should have called it a while ago,” Hendry remarked. He later described the frame as “the most ludicrous frame of snooker in Crucible history,” acknowledging that its farcical nature inadvertently helped Wu regain his composure after a difficult session.
Ultimately, the frame illustrates both the challenges and the unpredictability inherent in the sport, a reminder of how even the most poised competitors can find themselves ensnared in chaos. As the tournament unfolds, the question remains: how will players adapt to these unforeseen pressures?
