The phenomenal reception they give the sport when it comes to town is the main reason why players across the professional tour look forward to coming to Shanghai so much.
Ever since a ranking tournament came to China's second largest city in 1999, the public who live here have been hooked.
And in 2007, the Shanghai Masters began in its current format and has since become a staple in the snooker calendar as the opening ranking event of the season.There really is no better place in the world for the season to kick off either because the fans love it so much, and so do the players.
Like the opening day of any sporting season, every player relishes the first ranking tournament of the snooker campaign. It's a chance for the sport's top guns to get big points on the board early doors. And a chance for those further down the pecking order to get their season targets off to a healthy start.
And the atmosphere Shanghai creates for snooker just makes it extra special.
The season's curtain raiser is always an intriguing one, but maybe this year, it's the case more than ever before.
In past seasons, players have arrived in Shanghai cold, with nothing but practice play under their belts.
This year, under the stewardship of Barry Hearn, the season is already in full swing thanks to the creation of the PTC events, that have kept players busy already.
While in the past, players may have needed a match or two to find their rhythm, this year there's no excuses. The top guns can really hit the ground running, which should make for some fascinating snooker from ball one.
While Ronnie O'Sullivan's withdrawal from the competition is clearly a hammer blow to the tournament's worldwide appeal, once the action begins, the competition will be as fierce as ever.
Sit back and enjoy, but first OnCue brings you its tournament preview.
They said...
All eyes will again be on China's top player Ding Junhui as snooker returns to Asia.
The two-time UK Championship winner hasn't won on his home soil since he lifted the China Cup in 2005.
Returning to his motherland will surely give him a boost of confidence, and he looks
like he'll need it after being the only player on the professional tour yet to stike a cue ball in a PTC event this season. Ding only has a 5-1 drubbing against Shaun Murphy in the Premier League to look to as comfort.
He told World Snooker: "I had a problem with my visa so I wasn't able to get to the UK.
"Everyone else has been playing in the PTC events, so it might be difficult for me in Shanghai because I have not played any matches.
"Since I got back to Sheffield I have been practising every day and I just have to try hard to play well. I'm looking forward to it because it's close to my home town and the support I get from my friends there is very special.
Last time out
Ronnie O'Sullivan is notoriously a good starter to the season.
While some other players suffer from a bit of rust, the Rocket's natural talent normally sees him begin strongly.
This was the case last year when he won the Shanghai Masters eventually beating home hope Liang Wenbo 10-5 in the final.
He cruised relatively easy through the final but faced a rocky path to make the showpiece beating Graeme Dott, Marco Fu, Ding and John Higgins along the way.
OnCue's tip...
Many people have been backing Mark Selby to win this one, but I've got
my money on Mark Williams.The Welshman is coming a lot closer to the kind of form he showed a decade ago.
It's been a gradual climb back to the top of the game, and I fancy him to have a really strong season in the major ranking events this year.
He faces 2008 winner Ricky Walden in the first round, and could face Dott in the second, but I can see him comfortably making the last eight. He's got a great pedigree in Asia, and don't be surprised if he meets Murphy in the final either.
OnCue's dark horse...
I'd keep your eyes out for Jamie Cope.
He's been going quietly about his business so far this season, but there's murmurs he may be playing himself into form just at the right time for this one.
His inclusion into the top 16 is an unexpected one, granted only because because world number one
Higgins is still suspended. But he'll be determined to make it count even more, so that next time he's here on merit.OnCue's flop...
Because Judd Trump is in such fine form at the moment, I think Stephen Maguire could be a first round casualty.
Last year, he consistently made it past the early rounds in events, but never took himself took the next level.
I think he'll have a better season this year but in Shanghai, I have a sneaky feeling it could get worse for him.
At the bookmakers...
It's no surprise to see Ronnie was the bookmakers favourite again here.
But since his withdrawal, Mark Selby has been installed as the new favourite at 4/1. He's closely followed by home hope Ding on around 7/1.
World champion Neil Robertson is a best priced 8/1 third favourite, followed by Murphy and Williams at 10/1.
As for the outsiders, EPTC1 winner Trump can be backed at 20/1, Stephen Hendry picks up 40/1 and last year's finalist Wenbo is on offer at 25/1.
No comments:
Post a Comment