Masters snooker scores LIVE: Allen vs Hawkins, Ronnie O’Sullivan claims easy win | Other | Sport

Ronnie O’Sullivan will be looking to get his bid to win an eighth Masters title off to the best possible start by defeating Luca Brecel in their first-round meeting this afternoon. Neil Robertson was knocked out in the first round as the defending champion by Shaun Murphy on Sunday, potentially opening the door for The Rocket to restore his dominance by going all the way at Alexandra Palace this month.

O’Sullivan has already been tipped to claim the grand prize by several former players, with Neal Foulds recently telling Eurosport: “I have to be predictable and say Ronnie, in the bottom half of the draw, will be very dangerous again. I’m going to play it safe and say Ronnie can win it for the eighth time.”

Jimmy White, who won the event back in 1984, added: “I’m absolutely with Neal Foulds. When Ronnie lost 6-0 to Ding in the UK [Championship] I think he’d had enough snooker.

“After winning them tournaments [Hong Kong Masters and Champion of Champions] he will get his nut down and practice really hard. I expect him to be in tip top condition for the Masters so I’m going to go with O’Sullivan as well.”

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Masters snooker scores LIVE

Tuesday, January 10

1pm – Mark Allen vs Barry Hawkins

7pm – Mark Williams vs David Gilbert

Wednesday, January 11

1pm – Judd Trump vs Ryan Day

7pm – Kyren Wilson vs Stuart Bingham

RESULTS

Sunday, January 8

Neil Robertson 4-6 Shaun Murphy

Mark Selby 2-6 Hossein Vafaei

Monday, January 9

Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-1 Luca Brecel

John Higgins 3-6 Jack Lisowski

QUARTER-FINALS

Thursday, January 12

1pm – Mark Williams or David Gilbert vs Ronnie O’Sullivan

7pm – Hossein Vafaei vs Jack Lisowski

Friday, January 13

1.00pm – Mark Allen or Barry Hawkins vs Judd Trump or Ryan Day

7.00pm – Shaun Murphy vs Kyren Wilson or Stuart Bingham

SEMI-FINALS

Saturday, January 14

TBC vs TBC

TBC vs TBC

FINAL

Sunday, January 15

TBC vs TBC