LONDON (Reuters) - Northern Irishman Mark Allen hoped he would never have to play his former partner Reanne Evans again after winning a British Open 'battle of the exes' hailed as one of snooker's most intense matches ever.

The former couple, who have a 14-year-old daughter, met for the first time on Monday night as professionals in a ranking tournament after 12-times women's world champion Evans earned a two-year pro tour card.

Allen, ranked 12th in the world, won the match 3-2 at Leicester's Morningside Arena after coming back from 60-22 down in the fourth frame.