The World Snooker Tour heads to mainland China for the first time since 2019 next month for the 2023 Shanghai Masters, with Ronnie O’Sullivan defending the title against snooker’s biggest stars.
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The invitation event will run from September 11 to 17 at the Grand Stage in Shanghai. It’s a field of 24 players, comprising the world’s top 16, the next four highest ranked Chinese players, and four wild cards. The names of the wild cards players will be announced by August 19, following the completion of the CBSA Under-21 event.
Two of China’s finest will clash in the first round as 14-time ranking event winner Ding Junhui has been draw against Crucible semi-finalist Si Jiahui. Ronnie O’Sullivan is looking to win this title for a fourth consecutive time having lifted the trophy in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and he will start against either Ali Carter or one of the wild cards.
New World Champion Luca Brecel will open against either Mark Williams or Pang Junxu, while Judd Trump will meet either close friend Jack Lisowski or Zhou Yuelong.
All matches up to and including the quarter-finals are best of 11 frames, with the semi-finals best of 19 and then the final will be best of 21.
Details of how to watch the event will be announced soon. Snooker’s return to China will continue with two ranking events – the Wuhan Open in October and the International Championship in Tianjin City in November.
Shanghai Masters prize money:
Winner £210,000
Runner-up: £105,000
Semi-finals: £70,000
Quarter-finals: £35,000
Last 16: £17,500
Last 24: £10,000
High Break: £10,000
Total £825,000
