Allen opens Norther Ireland Open defence with dominant win 

Allen, bidding for a hat-trick of successive titles in Belfast, hit two half-century breaks against Belgium's Ben Mertens

HOME COMFORTS: Mark Allen is looking for a hat trick of Belfast wins. Pic: PA Wire

Home favourite Mark Allen opened the defence of his Northern Ireland Open title with a 4-0 win over Belgium's Ben Mertens in Belfast.

Allen, bidding for a hat-trick of successive titles in his home country, hit two half-century breaks as he coasted into the second round, where he will play Estonia's Andres Petrov.