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Snooker HQ: Professional snooker owner” master Ronnie O’Sullivan” has been officially booked for a prestigious TRIP” of record breaking countdown next week on the…
Starting on Monday, the 2024 Shanghai Masters will feature a star-studded field that includes Kyren Wilson and Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Since 2007, O’Sullivan has won the Shanghai Masters five times in a row, setting a record. Since then, the competition has been scheduled nearly annually.
It was held as a ranking event for the first ten years, but in 2018 it changed to an invite format. Only one player has won the award since the switch: Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The global pandemic caused the tournament to be canceled in the intervening years, but the Rocket went on to win 11-9 over Barry Hawkins in 2018 and then again in 2023 against Luca Brecel and Shaun Murphy, respectively.
O’Sullivan previously secured glories in 2009 and 2017, meaning he’s actually won the tournament the last four times it has been staged.
Despite being one of the elder statesman of the World Snooker Tour at the age of 48, O’Sullivan will still be regarded as one of the favourites for success again in 2024.
But he will face stiff competition from what is a high-quality field that is assembling at the Shanghai Grand Stage.
There will be a greater focus on Kyren Wilson this season as he competes at events as the sport’s newest world champion.
The Kettering cueist can look to the Shanghai Masters with fond memories, though, having won his maiden ranking title at this venue in 2015.
Wilson pipped Judd Trump in a deciding-frame thriller that year, the latter boasting a disappointing record of three defeats from three final appearances in Shanghai.
Following his fantastic return of five titles during the 2023/24 campaign, Trump will be looking to build early momentum again during this term.
The entire field of 24 comprises the top 16 from the official world rankings, the next four highest-ranked Chinese competitors, plus four wildcards.
Two of the wildcards are known to be Zhou Jinhao and Wang Xinbo, who have been nominated by the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association.
The remaining two spots will be filled by a qualifying event that is going to be staged on the eve of the main tournament itself.
Former Shanghai Masters champions John Higgins, Mark Selby, Ali Carter, and home favorite Ding Junhui are also in the draw. The latter, who has already won an unofficial exhibition tournament in Finland and the season-opening Championship League in recent months, will have a lot of confidence.
Alongside world no.8 Ding and the local wildcards, there are five more contenders from China who will attempt to gain inspiration from the home crowd.
Zhang Anda is another member from the world’s top 16 who has secured an invitation, although last season’s International Championship winner could face O’Sullivan as early as the second round.
Si Jiahui, Zhou Yuelong, Pang Junxu, and Lyu Haotian have each also gained an invitation courtesy of their high ranking positions.
Mark Allen, meanwhile, will be participating in his first tournament since becoming world number one for the first time in his career.
The Shanghai Masters takes place from July 15th to 21st, with live coverage across Europe on Eurosport and discovery+.
