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As the 2024 Snooker Masters approaches, this high-profile top-level snooker event that began in 1975 is about to kick off at the Alex Theatre at the Alex Hilton Hotel in London. As one of the three major events of snooker, the Masters Tournament, which is on par with the World Championship and the UK Championship, attracts the attention of snooker fans around the world every January.
For Chinese snooker, the Masters has always been an important international stage. From Ding Junhui's 10-4 victory over Fu Jiajun in 2011 to Yan Bingtao's 10-8 victory over John Higgins in 2021, Chinese players have made their own history here. However, with Yan Bingtao's ban, the new hope of Chinese snooker will once again focus on the two powerful players Ding Junhui and Zhang Anda.
China Central Radio and Television has announced that it will bring the whole live broadcast of this event to domestic and foreign audiences through CCTV5 and CCTV (CCTV Sports Client CCTV5APP). Undoubtedly, this is an audio-visual feast that snooker lovers should not miss.
The first round schedule of the 2024 Snooker Masters has been released, adopting a best-of-11 format, and the player who wins the first 6 rounds will advance to the top 8. According to the schedule, the match will officially start at 21 pm on January 7, with Luca Bresel taking on Jack Lisowski. Then, at 3 a.m. on January 8, China's Zhang Anda will face Shaun Murphy to showcase his skills and competitive form.
At 21 o'clock in the evening of January 8, Ding Junhui, the much-watched Chinese snooker leader, will face Ronnie O'Sullivan, a legendary player in snooker history and world No. 1. The duel between the two masters is regarded as a major attraction of this Masters. Then, at 3 a.m. on January 9, Mark Williams, known as the "Golden Left Hand," will take on Ali Carter.
At 9 p.m. on January 9, defending champion Judd Trump will face Kyren Wilson, and the matchup between the two players is highly anticipated. The next day at 3 a.m. on Jan. 10, Neil Robertson will take on Barry Hawkins. On January 10 at 9 p.m., Mark Allen will take on John Higgins in a matchup that will be a battle of skill and experience.
Finally, at 3 a.m. on January 11, Mark "Leicester Joker" Selby will take on Robert Milkins to wrap up the first round of action.
Whether China's Ding Junhui and Zhang Anda can break through in the first round will be a big focus of this Masters. Their performance will not only be a demonstration of China's snooker strength, but also an important test of their personal careers. As the competition progresses, snooker fans will witness the competition of these high-level players on the field, and witness the charm and wonderful moments of this elegant sport of snooker.