The 2024 Shanghai Masters commences on Monday with a star-studded lineup that features Ronnie O’Sullivan and Kyren Wilson.
O’Sullivan is a document five-time champion of the Shanghai Masters, a event that has been an virtually annual fixture on the calendar since 2007.
In its first decade it was staged as a rating occasion, however in 2018 the occasion reworked into its present invitational guise.
For the reason that transition, just one participant has emerged with the trophy – Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The Rocket beat Barry Hawkins 11-9 in 2018 earlier than repeating the identical scoreline the next yr and once more in 2023 towards Shaun Murphy and Luca Brecel respectively, with the occasion cancelled within the intervening years as a result of world pandemic.
O’Sullivan beforehand secured glories in 2009 and 2017, which means he’s truly received the event the final 4 instances it has been staged.
Regardless of being one of many elder statesman of the World Snooker Tour on the age of 48, O’Sullivan will nonetheless be considered one of many favourites for achievement once more in 2024.
However he’ll face stiff competitors from what’s a high-quality subject that’s assembling on the Shanghai Grand Stage.
There might be a larger concentrate on Kyren Wilson this season as he competes at occasions as the game’s latest world champion.
The Kettering cueist can look to the Shanghai Masters with fond reminiscences, although, having received his maiden rating title at this venue in 2015.
Wilson pipped Judd Trump in a deciding-frame thriller that yr, the latter boasting a disappointing document of three defeats from three closing appearances in Shanghai.
Following his improbable return of 5 titles in the course of the 2023/24 marketing campaign, Trump might be trying to construct early momentum once more throughout this time period.
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The complete subject of 24 contains the highest 16 from the official world rankings, the subsequent 4 highest-ranked Chinese language opponents, plus 4 wildcards.
Two of the wildcards are identified to be Zhou Jinhao and Wang Xinbo, who’ve been nominated by the Chinese language Billiards and Snooker Affiliation.
The remaining two spots might be stuffed by a qualifying occasion that’s going to be staged on the eve of the primary event itself.
Among the many different former Shanghai Masters champions within the draw are house hero Ding Junhui, John Higgins, Mark Selby, and Ali Carter.
Confidence might be excessive for the latter who in latest months has already received the season-opening Championship League along with an unsanctioned exhibition event in Finland.
Alongside world no.8 Ding and the native wildcards, there are 5 extra contenders from China who will try to achieve inspiration from the house crowd.
Zhang Anda is one other member from the world’s prime 16 who has secured an invite, though final season’s Worldwide Championship winner may face O’Sullivan as early because the second spherical.
Si Jiahui, Zhou Yuelong, Pang Junxu, and Lyu Haotian have every additionally gained an invite courtesy of their excessive rating positions.
Mark Allen, in the meantime, might be collaborating in his first event since changing into world primary for the primary time in his profession.
The Shanghai Masters takes place from July fifteenth to twenty first, with reside protection throughout Europe on Eurosport and discovery+.
2024 Shanghai Masters draw
All instances in UTC+1
Spherical 1 (bo11)
Zhang Anda vs Wildcard
(July 15: 2:30am)
Ali Carter vs Wildcard
(July 15: 2:30am)
Tom Ford vs Si Jiahui
(July 15: 7am)
Mark Williams vs Wildcard
(July 15: 7am)
Gary Wilson vs Pang Junxu
(July 16: 2:30am)
Jak Jones vs Wildcard
(July 16: 2:30am)
John Higgins vs Lyu Haotian
(July 15: 12:30pm)
Barry Hawkins vs Zhou Yuelong
(July 15: 12:30pm)
Spherical 2 (bo11)
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Zhang/Wildcard
(July 16: 7am)
Ding Junhui vs Carter/Wildcard
(July 16: 12:30pm)
Luca Brecel vs Ford/Si
(July 16: 7am)
Judd Trump vs Williams/Wildcard
(July 16: 12:30pm)
Mark Allen vs G. Wilson/Pang
(July 17: 7am)
Mark Selby vs Jones/Wildcard
(July 17: 7am)
Shaun Murphy vs Higgins/Lyu
(July 17: 12:30pm)
Kyren Wilson vs Hawkins/Zhou
(July 17: 12:30pm)
Quarter-Finals (bo11)
TBC vs TBC
(July 18: 12:30pm)
TBC vs TBC
(July 18: 12:30pm)
TBC vs TBC
(July 18: 7am)
TBC vs TBC
(July 18: 7am)
Semi-Finals (bo19)
TBC vs TBC
(July 20: 7am and 12:30pm)
TBC vs TBC
(July 19: 7am and 12:30pm)
Remaining (bo21)
TBC vs TBC
(July 21: 7am and 12:30pm)
Featured photograph credit score: WST
