But today, when when the curtain raised on this year's Shangai Masters, it was
special.Because it coincided with the funeral of snooker legend Alex Higgins.
Many of the sport's most famous faces made the trip to Northern Islland to pay their final respects to the man who made the modern game what it is today.
At the Sheffield Academy, where the first set of qualifiers were being held, the players paid their own tribute to the Hurricane with a minute of silence before the first cue ball was struck.
But just as Alex would have wanted, the show went on with 32 hopefuls in action.
There was no-one of Alex's calibre on show today as the basement boys of the professional tour locked horns, but the standard was excellent considering there was so much at stake for these players bidding to kick-off their major ranking season with a win.
Joe Jogia played without a care in the world as he thumped Noppon Saengkham 5-0 to
book his second round tie with Peter Lines with style.Brazil's Igor Figuieredo marked his first season on the pro tour with an impressive 5-4 victory over Jamie O'Neill. It's Dave Gilbert up next for him.
The dreams of Reanne Evans were shattered by an in form Alfie Burden who won 5-1 to set up a clash with Matthew Selt.
A sought after tie with Tony Drago was the reward for the winner of Xiao Guodongand Paul Davison. Guodong was a comfortable 5-1 winner, as was Patrick Wallace who brushed aside Adam Wichead by the same scoreline.
Anthony McGill had to come through a deciding frame to beat Issara Kachaiwong, and it won't get any easier for him in the next round with Barry Pinches waiting.
World number 68 Matthew Couch beat Andrew Pagett 5-2, and faces Bjorn Haneveer next.
Liu Song earned a second round match with James Wattana after his 5-3 win over Ben Woollaston.
Highly-rated Zhang Anda held his nerve to defeat Jak Jones 5-4 and must now play Paul Davies.
And, young gun Liam Highfield beat Dermot McGlinchley 5-3 to book a dream match with Jimmy White in round two.
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