Scotland’s John Higgins will face old foe Ronnie O’Sullivan at The Masters.
The draw for the tournament, which gets underway from January 12 at Alexandra Palace in London, took place during the final of snooker’s UK Championship between world number one Judd Trump and Barry Hawkins – leaving the crowd and pundits almost speechless. The veterans, who have both spent 30 seasons as professionals, were the first two names out the hat, with announcer Rob Walker saying: “Oh my gosh, that is seismic. Higgins and O’Sullivan, that is crazy – we might as well go home now.”
As well as the Wizard of Wishaw’s draw with the Rocket, a repeat of this year’s UK Championship is also on the cards in the opening round of The Masters, with Judd Trump drawn again Barry Hawkins – with Walker adding: “We haven’t made that up, that is absolutely crazy. What a match that is going to be as well as O’Sullivan against Higgins.” Whilst six-time world champion Stephen Hendry had no hesitation in choosing the game as his pick of the ties, saying: “It’s two of the class of 92, two of the greatest players of all time. What a match.”
And he admitted some jealousy at the players getting to perform in front of a raucous crowd at Alexandra Palace, adding: “It’s loud, the atmosphere is unique. It’s different from every other tournament on the calendar. I love it. It’s one of those tournaments where we’re jealous we can’t play, Ally Pally is amazing.”
Higgins meanwhile previously joked that he had offered to follow in Andy Murray’s footsteps by joining the the Rocket’s team. Asked if he could see himself supporting his old rival in a world title bid veteran Higgins, 49, quipped: “I asked him and he knocked me back! You would love to be asked in a way. He’s an unbelievable champion. I think I’d have the patience to be a coach. I don’t know if I’d be a coach or a mentor. Who knows what the future holds in this game for a lot of us. I’m quite happy dodging about like I am at the moment.”
Full draw
Ronnie O’Sullivan v John Higgins
Mark Selby v Ali Carter
Luca Brecel v Chris Wakelin
Mark Allen v Si Jiahui
Kyren Wilson v Zhang Anda
Mark Williams v Ding Junhui
Shaun Murphy v Gary Wilson
Judd Trump v Barry Hawkins