The world’s best 16 players will compete for the Masters championship at Alexandra Palace on Sunday in one of the greatest snooker events ever.
The invitational event dates back to 1975 and has produced some of the greatest players in history, including Judd Trump at Alexandra Palace last year and John Spencer at the West Centre Hotel.
Following stops at the New London Theatre, Wembley Conference Centre, Wembley Arena, and a quick trip to Milton Keynes, the Masters is held at Ally Pally in front of enthusiastic, raucous spectators.
Having having won three championships this season, Trump is the reigning champion and the favorite to take home the Paul Hunter Trophy for a third time.
“It is an amazing feeling walking out as the defending champion,” Trump said to Ham and High. I’m eager to return there. Even though I have always had a particular place for it, going there after winning it the year before is met with a new type of welcome. It adds a little bit of extra pressure. It is not your goal to lose the first round. But I shall treasure it for myself.
It has developed as my favorite occasion. I feel tremendously at ease there, as like I’m playing at home, especially in the last five years after I won it in 2019. The atmosphere is different from any competition, which is why I like it. It has a lot more intensity and is more akin to a boisterous football game.
But as only the top 16 players in the world are included in the draw, each of them has a chance to win when the last ball is thrown on Sunday, January 14 in north London.
The master’s sketch and timetable
Sunday, January 7, 1 p.m.: (2) Jack Lisowski vs. Luca Brecel
7 p.m.: (7) Zhang Anda vs. Shaun Murphy
Monday, January 8, 1pm: (3) Ding Junhui vs. Ronnie O’Sullivan
7 p.m. (8) Ali Carter v. Mark Williams
Tuesday, January 9, 1 p.m.: (1) Kyren Wilson vs. Judd Trump
7 p.m.: (6) Barry Hawkins vs. Neil Robertson
Wednesday, January 10, 1 p.m.: (4) John Higgins vs. Mark Allen
5:00 p.m.: (5) Robert Milkins vs. Mark Selby.
Last year, Judd Trump defeated Mark Williams to win the Masters.
