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
