Masters winner Mark Allen could face World Championship qualifiers

Allen has fallen eight places to 17th in the latest world rankings

Masters champion Mark Allen will have to regain his top 16 place in the rankings if he is to avoid having to qualify for the World Championship.

The Northern Irishman is down to 17th with just the China Open to play before the world draw is finalised.

If he doesn't improve his standing, the 32-year-old would need to win three matches to make it to the final stages at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

In January the Antrim man beat Kyren Wilson 10-7 in the Masters final.

He became the first Northern Irishman to win one of snooker's three major titles since Dennis Taylor's 1987 Masters victory.