Published Tuesday, 06 September 2011
Defending champion England's Ali Carter fell at the first hurdle, but Allen will be joined in the next round by Dubliner Fergal O'Brien.
He caused something of an upset with his unexpected 5-3 win victory over Peter Ebdon.
But it is Ronnie O'Sullivan who looks set to impress in the tournament.
Having skipped last year's event, the 2009 champion made up for lost time with 111 and 110 breaks in his 5-1 defeat of former world number three James Wattana.
O'Sullivan is chasing another maximum break as he continues into the second round.
"I know the fans want me to make a 147 and I'll be doing my best to get one here," O'Sullivan said. "It would be great to win this title again, but all the best players are here.
"If I can stop missing silly balls, I'll have a chance - but it's too early to make predictions."
He will next face Nottingham's Anthony Hamilton, after his shock knock-out of Glasgow's Stephen Maguire.