UK Championship 2025: Emotional Scott Donaldson defeats Mark Allen in UK shock

World number 52 Scott Donaldson claimed one of the best victories of his career by beating eighth seed Mark Allen late at night on the third day of the UK Championship.

Donaldson, who lost his father Hector on October 2 at the age of 70, burst into tears as he walked to the arena before the match because the song he chose was David Gray’s Babylon, one of his father’s favorite songs.

The 31-year-old Scot caused a shock by coming from 5-0 down to defeat former world champion Stuart Bingham 6-5 in the final qualifying round, and Donaldson maintained his form at the York Barbican.

While the former world number one led Allen 3-0, the Northern Irishman, who won this tournament in 2022, suffered a pullback before the mid-session interval.

But in a match full of long, tight frames, one lasting an hour and the other nearly 50 minutes, Donaldson managed to keep coming close to victory before sealing a 6-1 success.

There was also drama at the second table as a deciding frame was needed for the first time in this year’s tournament, with China’s Zhang Anda beating England’s Gary Wilson 6-5.

Zhang now plays China’s world champion Zhao Xintong after earning a 6-1 victory over compatriot Long Zehuang in the afternoon session on Monday.

More to follow.