First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR. So far it started off with lack of Internet connection, Tube strikes and Donald Trump spouting nonsense from his Twitter headquarte- I mean – the White House. The White House. Les Mis was excellent though!
Now, for the big one and one of the most revered tournaments in the calendar – the Masters. Even though this has no ranking points on offer, the Masters is one of the most important tournaments around. Especially now when the other Triple Crown event the UK Championship draw became more linear and when being in the Top 16 is made to feel less important. Look at Ally Pally for god’s sake – very intimidating, like Vinnie Jones in a dark alley.
The Top 16 players are here by winning trophies and by merit – there are no wildcards, no amateurs, just the best players in the world battling out for the Paul Hunter Trophy, in memory of the three-times winner Paul Hunter who died from cancer rather poignantly 10 years ago. It’s been 42 years since John Spencer first lifted the trophy by beating Ray Reardon 9-8 in 1975 and holds fantastic memories which I’m sure many snooker bloggers would have typed out this year. Stephen Hendry winning it 5 times in a row, the female streaker onto the areas between Steve Davis and Ronnie O’Sullivan; Hunter’s cheeky ‘Plan B’ interview after coming back from 7-2 down to beat Fergal O’Brien 10-9 (no, not the rapper); the works!
I will be watching one of the matches for the first time this month, but here are the predictions anyway!
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs. Liang Wenbo (6-3)
Ronnie’s record speaks for itself: reigning champion despite saying he played rubbish; joint with Stephen Hendry holding the record for winning six Masters titles and involved in eleven finals. Plus he has been banging on about his dismay of other tournaments that they do not feel special and prestigious as before, with the Masters being his comparison. He has not had a good season by his standards, despite losing three finals, but he will be going with all guns blazing with this one (the audience member on the right is a bit of a dick, though that’ll be me on Monday).
Liang will be a very interesting opponent, someone that Ronnie is very fond of and advised before his English Open win. Both had a number of close games together, though Liang has only beaten him once. This is his second appearance at the Masters and put on a very good show despite losing 6-4 to Higgins, and that is after reaching the final of the UK Championship. I think Ronnie should pull through – he admitted he’s been putting in some practice and is much better than a few months ago, so this should be good!
Neil Robertson vs. Ali Carter (6-1)
Neil’s season is far from spectacular. Despite winning the Riga Masters, he suffered a number of early exits, most notably in the first round of the UK Championship against amateur Peter Lines. Still, the cobwebs have been dusted off and practice was desperately needed. Though he did get knocked out of Group 4 of the Championship League, he topped the previous groups, even reaching the final before Mark Davis won the match by hitting the maximum in the decider.
Ali has also disappeared since his early victory in the World Open, with his best result being quarter-final appearances in the China Championship and the Shanghai Masters. They have of course met before, with Neil winning the bout 6-1. I fear for the same scoreline here – Robertson’s record against Carter and in the Masters has been consistent as he hasn’t lost his first round match since 2010, and that was against Ronnie.
Quarter-Final winner: Ronnie O’Sullivan vs. Neil Robertson (6-4)
Judd Trump vs. Marco Fu (6-4)
With the Trump vs. Fu match, you may be forgiven for thinking: “Trump should win – if you exclude Championship League matches, a fantastic head-to-head record of 9-2 over Fu. He’s had a fantastic season so why not?” Indeed, Trump will come in as favourite and has been on great form so far by winning the European Masters. But he has a very record in the Masters – in the past five years, he reached two semi-finals and two first-round exits, one of whom was in 2014 against Marco Fu. Though Fu took a while to get going until the reaching the semi-finals of the UK Championship on his C-game, he walloped home with the Scottish Open trophy while smashing in 11 centuries as well as 21 +50 breaks in 7 matches.
Had this match happened straight after the Scottish Open, Fu would win. However, Trump would’ve recovered from his 6-5 defeat to Higgins which left him distraught. He spoke a lot on how he’s preparing for the main trophies and with his talent and record can see him winning this close match here.
John Higgins vs. Mark Allen (6-2)
This should be a fun match, since Higgins and Allen get along so well. Higgins is the man no one wanted – his 3 titles speak for themselves, as well as his tremendous fightback against Trump from 5-1 down to win 6-5.
On the other hand, Allen hasn’t been on great form so far. We can assume that losing 5 games in the Championship League doesn’t speak great volumes but he does have the capabilities of doing well here and the head-to-head record between them is quite tight, with Higgins leading 9-8. However, Basingstoke in form and confidence, I will go wit has Higgins.
Quarter-Final winner: John Higgins
Stuart Bingham vs. Joe Perry (6-3)
This is the match I will be watching. Both are a treat to watch on TV and are far from egocentrics. Interestingly, Perry has a better head-to-head record here, but it is Bingham who is on better form, rejuvenated by the fact that the pressures of being a current World Champion are gone. He has reached two semi-finals and the final of the China Championship so I can see him doing well here.
Perry is having a lukewarm season, with one final to his name. He is doing okay and nothing specatular. But his Masters record isn’t very good, having only got past the first round once in 8 appearances, beating Ding in 2015. I can the match going to Bingham, but with the match being closer than the scoreline suggests.
Ding Junhui vs. Kyren Wilson (4-6)
This is probably the most interesting match here, mainly because Kyren Wilson will be making his debut this year and Ding rediscovering his form. Ding now has two titles to his name – the Shanghai Masters and the Six-Red World Championship but thrashed Inot the final 10-1 against Selby. Despite winning the trophy in 2011, his record hasn’t been great.After his UK performance, it has now become more difficult to predict which Ding would turn up.
Kyren is one of those people that just doesn’t fear anyone and plays against the higher-ranked opponents much better than against those near the bottom. Look at his Shanghai Masters win and his semi-final place in the 2015 Champion of Champions – he does love the limelight.
Quarter-Final winner: Stuart Bingham
Shaun Murphy vs. Barry Hawkins (5-6)
This will be the closest game. Both teams are on good Championship League form, with Barry winning Group 4. Shaun would’ve recovered from the terrors of nappy changing to play snooker and record-wise, he couldn’t be happier playing Barry.
But I still pick Barry. He is very good in Triple Crown eventso and did very well to reach the final of the Masters last year. His temperament is better and can see him going all the way.
Mark Selby vs. Mark Williams (6-5)
Poor Mark. After ranting and raving about his play, he has to play the man of the season. To be fair he had to same attitude last year against Ronnie and that went to distance. He has been declining in form but he does turn up for these games. In a recent interview, he said he loves it at Ally Pally and will want this.
Selby has had a good season, without being repetitive. Both players have always had great games and I can also see this all the way in Selby style that we all know!
Quarter-Final winner: Mark Selby
Meanwhile, why not try the Masters quiz by SnookerHQ? Here is the link – I got 20/30, try and beat it: https://snookerhq.com/2017/01/10/quiz-masters-trivia/
