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The German Masters returned to Berlin, the Chinese legion attacked many people, and big names such as Selby, Trump, and Robertson gathered again. Kuaishou "Star Club" broadcast the German Masters live from January 26 to 30, and the snooker feast before the Spring Festival, so stay tuned!
The Snooker German Masters will be held from 26 to 30 January. Since returning to the racing calendar in 2011, this popular event has brought many classic moments. Today we look back at the 2017-2021 finals.
2017 - Anthony Hamilton 9-6 Ali Carter
Hamilton ended a 26-year wait to beat Carter to win an exciting final.
Carter briefly led 5-2, followed by Hamilton's incredible comeback, who won seven of the next eight innings.
It was Hamilton's third ranking final and the first in 15 years. Previously, he lost to O'Brien in the 1999 British Open final and Williams in the 2002 China Open final, and the last time Hamilton did not resist the pressure and lost an 8-5 lead. But this time, when victory was within reach, Hamilton was calm and respectable under pressure.
"It's crazy to be able to win the championship, I don't think about how to achieve it anymore." Hamilton, who has reached the quarter-finals of the World Championships four times, said. "I don't want it so much anymore, and it takes the pressure off. Having won another one, it feels strange to be sitting here with a trophy now. I struggled most of the time this week, but somehow found my way. I couldn't score before tonight and played the best snooker of my life. ”
"This week I received heartwarming words from some players, especially Selby, who sent messages saying he wanted me to win the title. I feel the support of the audience today because I haven't won a championship before, and they may have put some pressure on Ali. ”
2018 - Mark Williams 9-1 Graeme Dort
Williams swept Through Dortmund in the final to win his 20th ranking tournament title. It was the Welshman's second title in the rankings that season, after he won the Northern Ireland Open.
"I was ecstatic. My bench performance was outstanding, I played well throughout the game and got into form from the start. I've been focusing on my ball and feel relaxed. ”
"I really thought about giving up after last season. My wife and I said we had enough and couldn't stick with the way we played before. It was she who told me not to think that way and to see how much has changed today. ”
A string of good results has given Williams confidence in the World Championships a few months later: "It will be the best time in many years that I have felt before coming to the World Championships. I will be confident. As for whether you can win or not, you have to see if you can see - the World Championships are very long, and it is difficult to win. But now I'm really looking forward to it. ”
A few months later, Williams narrowly beat Higgins 18-16 in the thrilling World Championship final to reach the summit of Crucible for the third time.
2019 - Karen Wilson 9-7 David Gilbert
It was a twist-and-turn final, with Wilson facing a trail at one point, but the Warriors completed a crucial "four-in-a-row whip."
Gilbert, who was still chasing the first ranking match, trailed 3-5 after the first stage, but reversed the score to 7-5 after the start of the second stage. However, he failed to achieve anything more, and Wilson returned to the climax of four consecutive innings, reaching the top of the ranking game for the third time.
"This final was fantastic, with a lot of high scores and beautiful Ann Globe. We put on a great show for German fans. I've always been a fighter and have been working hard from 5-7 behind. I think it might not be easy for David to end the game because he hasn't won the championship yet. ”
"It was one of the biggest games outside of the three tournaments because we played in front of 2,500 spectators. I felt at home and relaxed here. The best snooker usually comes up at such times. The atmosphere was special. ”
Both Wilson and Gilbert will compete in the Main German Masters. Wilson opened his game against Jimmy Robertson at 22:00 on January 26. Gilbert fought Yan Bingtao in the first round, and this match was played at 22:00 Beijing time on January 27.
2020 - Judd Trump 9-6 Neil Robertson
In 2020, Trump made his debut at the German Masters, where he defeated old rival Robertson in a grueling final.
It was Trump's fourth title that season, and he eventually won six titles in a single season, setting a new record.
"The games are special, I want to win every race, especially this one, which is one of the biggest venues we've ever played. It would be special to enter the single table stage here. The fans were fabulous. I want to take down one stop in the races I haven't taken, and I hope to win all the games one day. ”
"Tonight I established my advantage early and have been in control of the game ever since. I did the fight. I've done well defensively and have a good scoring performance when needed. ”
"Playing snooker is a bit like playing chess, trying to crack the opponent's next move and then push him into the hardest position."
Robertson will return to Berlin this year to fight for his first German Masters title. His first-round opponent was Walton, and the match was played at 3:00 a.m. Beijing time on January 27.
2021 - Judd Trump 9-6 Neil Robertson
A year ago, Trump played in full play in the final of the German Masters, beating his close friend Lissovsky to become the first player to successfully defend the title of German Masters.
Due to the pandemic, this year's race was played behind closed doors in Milton Keynes. Trump and Lisowski had previously missed the Masters because of positive COVID-19, but this regret was made up for at the German Masters.
"Unbelievable, won the championship again. Missing out on the Masters wasn't easy for me and Jack and I was glad we made it to the final together. It's always a little tough to play against him because he's my friend and he's never been as happy to beat any other player. Snooker is a sport that always requires you to devote yourself to it. ”
"I'm enjoying my performance. Whenever you win, you always want to enjoy it. It's important for me to always do the right thing. I'm not going to stop training hard and I'm going to keep that momentum going. I haven't had any breaks in the last few years. I put in the effort and now I'm getting a full reward. ”
Trump will hit the German Masters for a third consecutive title this year. With Gao Yang retiring, Trump went straight to the round of 16 and waited for the winner between Zhou Yuelong and McGill. The 16-in-8 match will be played at 3:00 a.m. Beijing time on January 28.