PREVIEW: 2020 German Masters

We just watched Neil Robertson whitewashing Zhou Yuelong to win the European Masters. Now, we quickly move onto the German Masters!

The German Masters is a favourite for many players and fans. Everyone should know by now how much the Germans love snooker. Their audiences are rated among the best and the most captivated. The tournament is also known for having a weirder table layout too. Many tables are placed in a circular fashion with one main table bang in the middle. The Tempodrom is supposed to be a brilliant arena too. At some point I really have to go to Berlin to watch it there. Hopefully next year. I’m sure I will be saying the same again next year. And the year after that. And the year…

Who’s in it to win it?

There are thirteen players who qualified for the German Masters as well as the European Masters. They include some Top 16 players such as 2018 champion Mark Williams, 2014 champion Ding Junhui and Neil Robertson as well as some surprise like Robbie Williams, Tian Pengfei and Jak Jones. This also means we have fresh faces in this tournament!

Besides, defending champion Kyren Wilson already out as he lost in the second qualifying round to Zhao Xintong. Last year’s finalist David Gilbert has also failed to make it. Which means there will be a new champion! But who do you think will lift the German Masters trophy?

Reigning World Champion Judd Trump is back after licking his wounds due to a Dafabet Masters loss against Shaun Murphy. Joe Perry, Anthony McGill as well as Murphy are also in the mix. We also have a few surprises in the draw too. Kishan Hirani has reached the Last 32 of a ranking event for the first time in his professional career. This will also be Jamie Clarke’s first appearance at this stage since he reached the semi-finals of the 2019 Snooker Shoot-Out. Ian Burns also features in the main draw and will play Robertson, the first time they met since the Australian went to the wrong Barnsley. You know, that time.

The Race to Cheltenham

There is two stories within the German Masters. The World Grand Prix is around the corner and only the Top 32 players in the current season ranking list can participate. Please click here for this season’s provisional points from some very good points-totters from snooker.org.

Technically, any player in the German Masters can leapfrog to qualify for the World Grand Prix. There is £80,000 reward or 80,000 ranking points to the winner! Currently, Li Hang holds onto the No. 32 spot and is in a precarious position. Li’s closest rivals are McGill and Brecel, who need to reach the semi-finals in order to qualify.

The other is relating to the new BetVictor European Series. This attracts intrigue to who will take advantage and top its Order of Merit to win a delicious bonus of £150,000 as a result. Personally, I dislike that the German Masters is part of the series, as it is big enough to be a stand-alone event and shouldn’t rub shoulders with smaller events within the series. But I think I’m in the minority here.