Live now! Snooker Masters: Two quarterfinal spots to be decided, Wu Yize vs Murphy, Xiao Guodong takes the stage

On January 11th Beijing time, the Snooker Masters will begin today. Based on the updated schedule, two matches are set to take place, producing two quarterfinal qualifiers. On the first day, China will be represented by Wu Yize and Xiao Guodong. The inaugural match pits Murphy against Wu Yize, with Xiao Guodong going up against the Grand Slam winner Selby. The competition is underway, and we look forward to positive results from the Chinese players!

This Masters tournament is one of snooker's three major events, with a winner’s prize of £350,000. However, it is an invitational event limited to the top sixteen players, underscoring its high level and prestige. China has five players qualified, setting a new record for participation. Historically, Yan Bingtao and Ding Junhui have both won this Masters title. Yet, the all-time great O'Sullivan has chosen to withdraw, forfeiting his prize money, which allowed Wakelin to enter as a replacement. The opening day will feature two matches!

The first match to start is Wu Yize versus Murphy. Wu Yize won the National Championship this season, claiming his first career title and breaking into the world’s top sixteen rankings, earning his spot in the Masters. In the opening round, he faces the highly consistent defending champion Murphy, one of the formidable "80s Five Tigers." Wu Yize is facing a significant challenge!

At 3 AM tomorrow, Xiao Guodong will take on Selby. Xiao Guodong won the Wuhan Open this season and maintains a steady top sixteen world ranking. In the first round, he faces the "80s Five Tigers" member Selby, who has had a breakout season, winning the Champion of Champions and the UK Championship. It is clear that Xiao Guodong will be under great pressure, making an upset very difficult!

Written by / Sports Novel