Mark Allen and Wu Yize have secured the dubious honour of playing the longest frame in Crucible history, with the epic tussle labelled an 'embarrassment to snooker' by Steve Davis. The 14th frame of their World Championship match lasted just over 100 minutes, comfortably beating the previous record of 85 minutes and 22 seconds set by Mark Selby and Yan Bingtao in 2022.
How the Frame Unfolded
The Northern Irishman was leading 7-6 in the second session after winning all five frames on Friday afternoon. He was ahead 39-1 in the 14th frame when the black ball sat near the right corner pocket, and reds began to cluster around it. Both players nudged reds toward the black until eight reds surrounded it, with the black extremely close to being potted. A total of 75 safety shots were played, and referee Marcel Eckhart eventually stepped in, giving each player three shots to end the stalemate.
Allen, who held a significant lead (43-13 by that point), was unhappy about the potential re-rack. He attempted to develop the reds but eventually knocked the black in, conceding seven points, believing it was necessary. Wu did not win the frame immediately but eventually levelled the match at 7-7. However, the frame took so long that the session ended two frames early.
Reactions from Broadcasters and Players
BBC presenter Hazel Irvine commented, 'It is the most tortuous frame I think we have ever seen at the Crucible. We are imprisoned by frame 14.' John Parrott said on commentary, 'The most remarkable frame ever played at the Crucible. You have to say it was pretty farcical at the start of it, but what a finish!' Both Parrott and Stephen Hendry felt the referee should have intervened earlier, but the decision was eventually correct.
Six-time world champion Steve Davis expressed strong disapproval: '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.'
Historical Context
While this frame set a Crucible record, it is not the longest frame in snooker history. That accolade belongs to Dave Gilbert and Fergal O'Brien, whose deciding frame in the final round of World Championship qualifying in 2017 lasted 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 41 seconds. O'Brien eventually won that frame.
The final two sessions of the Allen vs Wu match are scheduled for Saturday morning and evening.
