The draw for the 2024 Masters has been made and, as ever, there are some brilliant ties in the opening round at Alexandra Palace.
Only the world’s top 16 compete at the Masters so there are always stunning games from the off and it will be no different when the event gets underway on 7 January in north London.
Arguably the standout game in the first round is a clash between former champions in Mark Allen vs John Higgins, although there are plenty of other contenders.
Defending champion Judd Trump meets Kyren Wilson, while it will be all-out-attack when world champion Luca Brecel plays Jack Lisowski.
With the UK Championship final between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ding Junhui coming to an end on Sunday night, the result of that match will impact the seeding for the Masters.
If O’Sullivan wins then he will take on Ding again next month, but if Ding wins the Rocket will take on Mark Williams in a clash of the Class of ’92, while the Chinese superstar will play Ali Carter.
Masters draw
Judd Trump vs Kyren Wilson
Mark Williams/Ding Junhui vs Ali Carter
Mark Selby vs Rob Milkins
Mark Allen vs John Higgins
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Ding Junhui/Mark Williams
Neil Robertson vs Barry Hawkins
Shaun Murphy vs Zhang Anda
Luca Brecel vs Jack Lisowski
£250,000 is on offer to the winner of the huge invitational event, which Judd Trump won last season by beating Mark Williams in the final.
That was Trump’s second Masters title, with only six players ever winning the tournament more than twice.
O’Sullivan has lifted the trophy more than any other player, emerging as champion seven times, one more than Stephen Hendry.
The 2024 Masters runs from 7-14 January, with the schedule to be announced in due course.
MORE : Ding Junhui relishing ‘dream’ UK Championship final with Ronnie O’Sullivan
MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan and Hossein Vafaei insist the beef is behind them but Judd Trump is not so sure
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