Ronnie O’Sullivan reveals he was ‘on phone to Samaritans’ at snooker world championships
The incomparable Ronnie O’Sullivan returns to the snooker baize this afternoon as he gets his Masters campaign up and running at Alexandra Palace with a first-round clash against old foe Ding Junhui.
O’Sullivan is gunning for a record-extending eighth Masters title this week and will be roared on by a raucous and partisan sell-out London crowd that always vociferously gets behind ‘The Rocket’.
The 48-year-old shows no sign of slowing down and is still the sport’s most electrifying presence, while the match-up against Ding specifically is a fascinating one, given the history between the pair. They have squared off almost 30 times over the past 20 years, with O’Sullivan leading the head-to-head 20-6 and beating the Chinese superstar 10-7 in the UK Championship final just before Christmas, as he lifted that trophy for the eighth time.
O’Sullivan also has Ding’s number at the Masters, having won all five meetings between them at the tournament. That includes a memorable 10-3 victory in the 2007 final when a then-19-year-old Ding was left in tears by the crowd’s loud support of the Englishman.
Follow live coverage of the mouth-watering first-round clash below:
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Ding Junhui – live updates
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It’s my time to shine – Judd Trump relishing Masters defence at Alexandra Palace
Judd Trump has called on the Alexandra Palace crowd to continue to bring the noise as he prepares to kick off the defence of his Masters title against Kyren Wilson at the famous venue.
Less than a week after 16-year-old Luke Littler brought the famous old house down with his performances in the PDC World Darts Championships, 16 of the world’s best snooker stars are set to converge on the arena.
And while the usual protocols will be in place, Trump hopes the unique atmosphere generated at the tournament will help him lift the title – regarded as his sport’s third ‘major’ – for the third time.
“It has grown into my favourite event,” Trump told WST. “I enjoy the atmosphere, it is completely different to any other tournament.
“It is more like a rowdy football game with a lot more passion. When everyone is clapping and cheering, then it relaxes me. I feel like I belong there and at that point it is my time to shine”.
Luke Baker8 January 2024 12:40
Jack Lisowski beats world champion Luca Brecel to reach Masters quarter-finals
Jack Lisowski produced a stirring performance to defeat world champion Luca Brecel and book his place in the quarter-finals of the Masters at Alexandra Palace.
Lisowski, who is hoping to land a first major trophy after finishing runner-up in six ranking events, was in outstanding form as he wrapped up a 6-2 victory over the second seed.
The 32-year-old reeled off five fifty-plus breaks, as well as a century, to oust the Belgian Bullet.
Luke Baker8 January 2024 12:35
Masters snooker schedule
First round (best of 11 frames)
- 1pm: Luca Brecel 2-6 Jack Lisowski – BBC Two, Eurosport and Discovery+
- 7pm: Shaun Murphy 6-2 Zhang Anda – BBC Red Button, Eurosport and Discovery+
- 1pm: Ronnie O’Sullivan v Ding Junhui – BBC Two, Eurosport and Discovery+
- 7pm: Mark Williams v Ali Carter – BBC Red Button, Eurosport and Discovery+
- 1pm: Judd Trump v Kyren Wilson – BBC Two, Eurosport and Discovery+
- 7pm: Neil Robertson v Barry Hawkins – BBC Red Button, Eurosport and Discovery+
- 1pm: Mark Allen v John Higgins – BBC Two, Eurosport and Discovery+
- 7pm: Mark Selby v Robert Milkins – BBC Red Button, Eurosport and Discovery+
Quarter-finals (best of 11 frames)
- 1pm: QF3 – O’Sullivan or Ding v Robertson or Hawkins – BBC Two, Eurosport and Discovery+
- 7pm: QF4 – Jack Lisowski v Shaun Murphy – BBC Four, Eurosport and Discovery+
- 1pm: QF1 – Trump or Wilson v Williams or Carter – BBC Two, Eurosport and Discovery+
- 7pm: QF2 – Allen or Higgins v Selby or Milkins – BBC Four, Eurosport and Discovery+
Semi-finals (best of 11 frames)
- 1pm: Winner of QF3 v Winner of QF4 – BBC One, Eurosport and Discovery+
- 7pm: Winner of QF1 v Winner of QF2 – BBC Two, Eurosport and Discovery+
Final (best of 19 frames)
- 1pm and 7pm – BBC Two. Eurosport and Discovery+
Luke Baker8 January 2024 12:29
What is the Masters prize money?
Here’s how much the players will earn at Ally Pally this week:
Highest break prize: £15,000
Total prize pot: £725,000
Luke Baker8 January 2024 12:22
When is the Masters and how to watch?
When is the tournament?
The Masters begins on Sunday 7 January at Alexandra Palace, and the final will be played on Sunday 14 January.
How to watch
The entire tournament will be broadcast on Eurosport and Discovery+, which are the rights holders in Ireland and the rest of Europe. Some matches will also be shown on BBC TV channels.
Viewers can stream the action online via the BBC Sport and BBC iPlayer websites and apps, as well as the Eurosport and Discovery+ website and apps.
Luke Baker8 January 2024 12:15
Masters snooker schedule and order of play
Snooker returns to our screens in 2024 with the Masters at Alexandra Palace, one the sport’s jewels in the Triple Crown.
The Masters is always a special event as the world’s best 16 players go up against one another in a straight knockout format.
Judd Trump is the reigning champion after beating Mark Williams in last year’s final, while Ronnie O’Sullivan is aiming to win a record-extending eighth title.
There are several other past winners in this year’s tournament. Mark Selby has three Masters titles; John Higgins, Neil Robertson and Mark Williams have all won it twice; Ding Junhui, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen and Trump all have one title each.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2024 Masters.
Luke Baker8 January 2024 12:13
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Ding Junhui
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Masters snooker from Alexandra Palace. The dart boards have been packed away and the baize snooker table erected at Ally Pally for the first event of the year.
And we have a cracking first-round match-up this afternoon with the ever-popular Ronnie O’Sullivan facing old rival Ding Junhui.
Stick with us for full live coverage.
Luke Baker8 January 2024 12:08