The official announcement of the Saudi Arabian World Masters Wild Card, no Ding Junhui!

On the evening of February 28, Beijing time, the official website of World Snooker WST announced the wild card list of the World Masters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in early March this year. Two wild cards were given to Saudi Arabia's Omar Alajlani and Qatar's Ali Alobaidli.

Regarding the rumor that Ding Junhui had been invited by the Saudi side earlier, I issued an article as early as February 1 to refute this as fake news (see: Countering fake news: The so-called rumor that Ding Junhui has been invited to the Saudi Masters). A few days ago, when WST released part of the information about the World Masters in Riyadh, I posted again that there was no Ding Junhui in Saudi Arabia. But because the official announcement did not mention the specific list of wild cards at that time, some people still left messages from time to time saying that Ding Junhui had been invited, saying that Ding Junhui was applying for a visa, etc.; I really don't know, where do these self-media have such a bull's confidence?

The World Masters in Riyadh are signed as follows:

Upper District:

Luca Brecel (1) v Avery Carter (8) / Wild card

Mark Allen (4) v Mark Selby (5)

Lower Half District:

Judd Trump (3) v Shaun Murphy (6)

Ronnie O'Sullivan (2) v Mark Williams (7) / Wild card

As for the specific matchup between the two wild card players and Carter and Ma Wei, it will have to wait until this Sunday to be decided by draw.

In addition, it is mentioned on the official website that "the Golden Ball will be used in every game, giving players the opportunity to create a unique 167 perfect score". But this sentence is too simplistic and vague;

Not only the use of the Golden Ball, but also a lot of information about the Riyadh World Masters, including the competition system, prize distribution, etc., have yet to be further officially announced, and the tournament will start next Monday. In this Saudi event, the release of various information is like squeezing toothpaste, which is also a reason why rumors are flying all over the sky.