Something tells me this isn't going to be the most popular opinion of all time.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

It's fabulous to watch one of the greatest ever match players to grace our sport in John Higgins, against an absolute bulldog of a competitor who will just take his cue out of the case and play against anybody.

Ali Carter has a pretty good record against John - not many people have beaten John nine times. Carter has got a good chance.

Image source, Getty Images

Barry Hawkins hold a 7-2 advantage over Matthew Stevens in a match between two players who have previously reached the World Snooker Championship final.

Welshman Stevens, who was a beaten finalist in 2000 and 2005, had made the early running after he took a 2-1 lead.

But 2013 runner-up Hawkins then won the next off frames, including a top break of 99 from the Englishman, to take control of the contest.

Image source, Getty Images

John Higgins speaking to BBC Sport before his first round match against Ali Carter: "The pressure grips you a bit, the nerves jangle a bit when you walk around the corridors here.

"I think I have played well this season, a lot of good wins but fell at the final hurdle in three big events.

"It's going to be incredibly difficult to do well here, it's a marathon. You've just got to enjoy it and see where it takes you."

Image source, Getty Images

In undoubtedly the stand-out tie of the first round, world number five and four-time world champion John Higgins will shortly begin his first round match against two-time beaten finalist Ali Carter.

Higgins is one of the genuine greats of the game, ranking third in the all-time list of ranking event winners with 33.

The Scot is a member of the Class of 92 along with Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams, but has not won a ranking title this season.

Former world number two Carter had to navigate the qualifiers, so will feel hard done by to be dealt such a tough draw.

In case you missed it earlier, here's Mark Allen's 140 break in all its glory.

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Allen speaking to BBC Two after defeating Zhang Anda 10-6: "I'm not really sure where that came from because yesterday was embarrassing.

"Today I got a bit of luck here and there, but I played some good stuff.

"It's a confidence thing with me. Yesterday I was on the shot longer because I wasn't confident I was going to get it.

"Today I was faster because I got into a rhythm and fancied potting everything I got a look at.

"But this is one session, I'm not going to get carried away. It's been a very poor season.

"I can't have many more sessions like I did yesterday, I got away with one there. It's not good enough at this level."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible

Zhang Anda, was quick to praise Mark Allen and speaking in his news conference, said: "Yesterday I played Ok but was still 5-3 [ahead], today he played well and made three centuries and I didn't have many chances to make a break.

"I just waited for my chances, and I tried my best. Today he made some good frames but I think Mark Allen's safety is top three, he just makes trouble for you."

Mark Allen speaking to BBC Two after defeating Zhang Anda 10-6: "It would mean everything [to win a World Championship] - I want to be word champion. It will be a disappointing career for me if I look back and I haven't won it.

"That's why I was so frustrated yesterday - I've been doing things so well, on the practice table, being in the gym and eating well.

"After that match yesterday I just went out and had a few drinks and a burger.

"I thought - 'I can't play any worse than yesterday'. I was so down on myself, I didn't want to talk to anyone after that session yesterday.

"So I went out, had a few bets and watched the football with my mates. A bit of bad food... and slept really well last night and played much better today."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible

Former world number one Mark Allen produced a superb display of potting as he fought back from 6-4 down to beat China's Zhang Anda 10-6 in the first round of the World Snooker Championship.

Northern Ireland's Allen, a two-time Crucible semi-finalist, had not made a single break of 50 in Saturday's first session, but looked a different player on Sunday.

The 40-year-old produced a magnificent clearance of 140 in frame 11 to start his recovery and then followed that up with a break of 109 in frame 12.

His third century in five frames came in frame 15 with an effort of 129 to move one away from victory, which he sealed with a break of 81 in the 16th frame.

Zhang, who has now lost in the first round on all of his six Crucible appearances, scored only 42 points in the final six frames as Allen stormed into the last 16.

He will play either 2024 champion Kyren Wilson or 19-year-old English teenager Stan Moody in the next round.

Ding Junhui is in total control as he produces a 52 break to take the final frame of this session 118-0.

David Gilbert has a mountain to climb tomorrow after a disappointing first session.

Frustration got the better of the Englishman at one point during that frame as he bashed his cue on the edge of the table.

Mark Allen is through to the second round!

Allen opened up the reds and from that moment it was curtains for Zhang Anda, as Allen produced a break of 81 to win clinch victory.

From 3-5 down at the start of the session to winning 10-6. It's a day two masterclass from Allen.

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

It's the Mark Allen show!

He's at the Crucible in the World Championship, but he's played the last few frames like he is in his club practicing.

What a performance this has been.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

It's up to Zhang Anda to try and find something now.

He won't give up, he'll want to be scraped off the table, but at the moment he looks a bit beaten.

You can't do much when your opponent is playing so well. That's the thing with snooker - you've just got to sit in that chair and take it.

Mark Allen is dominating the possession of the table.

If Zhang can get one opportunity to try and win a frame quickly in one visit - sometimes things can change.

Mark Allen is operating at a different level to yesterday, he's like a different player.

The Pistol produces his third century of the day - this time 129 - to win a fifth frame in a row and move within touching distance of victory.

Super impressive stuff.

Ding Junhui rattles off a 72 break to further his advantage in this match.

Poor David Gilbert only got one shot in that frame before Ding left him for dust.

Brilliant stuff from the most successful Asian player in history.

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

He's buzzing now is Mark Allen.

Look at how close he puts his hand to the cue ball.

His cue action is very well suited to these quick cloths - that's why he's one of the best break-builders in the game.

They say you make your own luck.

Mark Allen is playing with such confidence, but still looked mightily relieved to see a red drop into the pocket after it bounced around the jaws.

A miss at 33-0 would have given Zhang Anda a lifeline, but Allen forged ahead to win a fourth frame in a row, this time 82-4.

Allen is two frames away from a place in the second round.

Ding Junhui is starting to pull away from David Gilbert now, who isn't playing badly by any means.

Ding secured breaks of 39 and 33 to guarantee himself an overnight lead.

Gilbert looked a bit dejected towards the end of that frame - he needs to avoid falling any further behind.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible

Image source, Michael Emons

About 1,000 people can squeeze into the Crucible to watch the action in the arena, but what do you do if you haven't got a ticket?

Well, there is good news. The deckchair section, just outside the venue, in Tudor Square, still has availability and you can watch all the action on a huge screen.

It's a lovely sunny day, so grab yourself an ice cream and a drink and head over there.

There are worse ways to spend a Sunday.