Ronnie O'Sullivan
Non-Ranking, Snooker Headlines

Ronnie O’Sullivan set for Shanghai Masters defence

The 2024 Shanghai Masters commences on Monday with a star-studded lineup that includes Ronnie O’Sullivan and Kyren Wilson.

O’Sullivan is a record five-time champion of the Shanghai Masters, a tournament that has been an almost annual fixture on the calendar since 2007.

In its first decade it was staged as a ranking event, but in 2018 the event transformed into its current invitational guise.

Since the transition, only one player has emerged with the trophy – Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The Rocket beat Barry Hawkins 11-9 in 2018 before repeating the same scoreline the following year and again in 2023 against Shaun Murphy and Luca Brecel respectively, with the event cancelled in the intervening years due to the global pandemic.

O’Sullivan previously secured glories in 2009 and 2017, meaning he’s actually won the tournament the last four times it has been staged.

Despite being one of the elder statesman of the World Snooker Tour at the age of 48, O’Sullivan will still be regarded as one of the favourites for success again in 2024.

But he will face stiff competition from what is a high-quality field that is assembling at the Shanghai Grand Stage.

There will be a greater focus on Kyren Wilson this season as he competes at events as the sport’s newest world champion.

The Kettering cueist can look to the Shanghai Masters with fond memories, though, having won his maiden ranking title at this venue in 2015.

Wilson pipped Judd Trump in a deciding-frame thriller that year, the latter boasting a disappointing record of three defeats from three final appearances in Shanghai.

Following his fantastic return of five titles during the 2023/24 campaign, Trump will be looking to build early momentum again during this term.

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The entire field of 24 comprises the top 16 from the official world rankings, the next four highest-ranked Chinese competitors, plus four wildcards.

Two of the wildcards are known to be Zhou Jinhao and Wang Xinbo, who have been nominated by the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association.

The remaining two spots will be filled by a qualifying event that is going to be staged on the eve of the main tournament itself.

Among the other former Shanghai Masters champions in the draw are home hero Ding Junhui, John Higgins, Mark Selby, and Ali Carter.

Confidence will be high for the latter who in recent months has already won the season-opening Championship League in addition to an unsanctioned exhibition tournament in Finland.

Alongside world no.8 Ding and the local wildcards, there are five more contenders from China who will attempt to gain inspiration from the home crowd.

Zhang Anda is another member from the world’s top 16 who has secured an invitation, although last season’s International Championship winner could face O’Sullivan as early as the second round.

Si Jiahui, Zhou Yuelong, Pang Junxu, and Lyu Haotian have each also gained an invitation courtesy of their high ranking positions.

Mark Allen, meanwhile, will be participating in his first tournament since becoming world number one for the first time in his career.

The Shanghai Masters takes place from July 15th to 21st, with live coverage across Europe on Eurosport and discovery+.


2024 Shanghai Masters draw

Round 1 (bo11)

Zhang Anda 3-6 Zhou Jinhao
Ali Carter 6-0 Qiu Lei
Tom Ford 3-6 Si Jiahui
Mark Williams 6-3 Wang Xinbo

Gary Wilson 5-6 Pang Junxu
Jak Jones 2-6 Cao Jin
John Higgins 6-1 Lyu Haotian
Barry Hawkins 4-6 Zhou Yuelong

Round 2 (bo11)

Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-1 Zhou Jinhao
Ding Junhui 6-5 Ali Carter
Luca Brecel 2-6 Si Jiahui
Judd Trump 6-2 Mark Williams

Mark Allen 5-6 Pang Junxu
Mark Selby 6-1 Cao Jin
Shaun Murphy 6-3 John Higgins
Kyren Wilson 0-6 Zhou Yuelong

Quarter-Finals (bo11)

Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-3 Ding Junhui
Si Jiahui 2-6 Judd Trump

Pang Junxu 3-6 Mark Selby
Shaun Murphy 6-2 Zhou Yuelong

Semi-Finals (bo19)

Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-10 Judd Trump

Mark Selby 8-10 Shaun Murphy

Final (bo21)

Judd Trump 11-5 Shaun Murphy


Featured photo credit: WST

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