Selby Targeting Fourth Masters Crown

The world's best snooker players will be at Alexandra Palace in North London in January, and several sessions are selling out fast.

 

 

Tickets are the perfect Christmas present for anyone who loves live sport so book them NOW while they are still available. Snooker's most prestigious invitation tournament runs from January 12 to 19 and features the elite 16 players including World Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, world number one Neil Robertson, defending champion Mark Selby plus Judd Trump, John Higgins, Mark Allen, Shaun Murphy, Ding Junhui and many more.

 

 

Tickets start at just £10, fantastic value for money, and there are also some amazing VIP and corporate hospitality packages available. To book call

0871 620 7052 (calls cost 10p per minute, plus network extras) or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

 

 

Selby won the title for the third time last year by beating Robertson 10-6 in the final, and the Leicester man dreams of defending the crown and taking the £200,000 top prize. Steve Davis, Cliff Thorburn and Paul Hunter all won it three times while only Stephen Hendry (six) and Ronnie O'Sullivan (four) have surpassed that total.

 

 

"To defend the title and join Ronnie on four titles would be unbelievable," said Selby, who plays in the opening match of the tournament on Sunday January 12. "The Masters makes you feel special because it's only the best 16 players so you know that every match is going to be against another top player, and you will have to be at your best to win. And if you do win the title you know you've really earned it because you've beaten the best.

 

 

"I was gutted to lose to Neil Robertson in the UK Championship final last week but winning the Masters again would be the perfect way to bounce back from that. Ally Pally is brilliant for snooker, it really works as a venue and the atmosphere is fantastic."

 

 

Here's the match schedule for the first round:

 

 

Sunday January 12

1pm Mark Selby v Mark Davis

7pm Stuart Bingham v John Higgins

 

 

Monday January 13

1pm Judd Trump v Marco Fu

7pm Stephen Maguire v Joe Perry

 

 

Tuesday January 14

1pm Ding Junhui v Shaun Murphy

7pm Ronnie O'Sullivan v Robert Milkins

 

 

Wednesday January 15

1pm Neil Robertson v Mark Allen

7pm Barry Hawkins v Ricky Walden