As usual, there are several outstanding ties in the first round at Alexandra Palace of the 2024 Masters after the draw was announced.
The Masters features only the best 16 players in the world, thus there are usually amazing opening matches. On January 7, in north London, the tournament will begin.
Though there are many more competitors, the matchup between past champions Mark Allen and John Higgins is arguably the most intriguing of the opening round.
The UK Championship match between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ding Junhui, which took place on Sunday, will be replayed at Ally Pally on Monday afternoon. A large television audience and full house are expected to attend.
The Chinese superstar will be seeking quick retribution, but the Rocket, who prevailed in York, will be the favorite to do so in North London.
Sunday 7 January
1pm: (2) Luca Brecel v Jack Lisowski
7pm: (7) Shaun Murphy v Zhang Anda
Monday 8 January
1pm: (3) Ronnie O’Sullivan v Ding Junhui
7pm: (8) Mark Williams v Ali Carter
Tuesday 9 January
1pm: (1) Judd Trump v Kyren Wilson
7pm: (6) Neil Robertson v Barry Hawkins
Wednesday 10 January
1pm: (4) Mark Allen v John Higgins
7pm: (5) Mark Selby v Robert Milkins
Quarter-finals
Thursday 11 January
1pm: QF3 O’Sullivan or Ding v Robertson or Hawkins
7pm: QF4 Brecel or Lisowski v Murphy or Zhang
Friday 12 January
1pm: QF1 Trump or Wilson v Williams or Carter
7pm: QF2 Allen or Higgins v Selby or Milkins
Semi-finals
Saturday 13 January
1pm: Winner of QF3 v Winner of QF4
7pm: Winner of QF1 v Winner of QF2
Final
Sunday 14 January
1pm and 7pm.
The massive invitational event, which Judd Trump won last season by defeating Mark Williams in the final, is offering a prize of £250,000 to the winner.
There are only six players who have ever won the Masters more than twice, and that was Trump’s second championship.
More than any other player, O’Sullivan has raised the trophy seven times, one more than Stephen Hendry.
The itinerary for the 2024 Masters, which takes place from January 7–14, will be revealed soon.
