The Snooker Masters has completed its first three match days, and the situation is gradually becoming clear. The latest standings show that the Chinese team has one win and one loss. In his debut, Si Jiahui lacked experience and suffered a crushing defeat of 2-6 against Mark Allen, failing to meet Ding Junhui. Zhang Anda will take the stage tonight, aiming to set a new record, as the three tigers from the 80s may meet in the semi-finals.
Ding Junhui has won four consecutive victories in the new year, defeating Mark Williams again after the exhibition match, completing six single-shot victories in the first round of the Masters, and winning 6-5 in a full 11 games. Si Jiahui's debut was a disaster, facing Mark Allen with almost no resistance, suffering a crushing defeat of 2-6 and being eliminated in the first round.
Zhang Anda will take the field at 21:00 tonight to face off against world champion Kyren Wilson. Despite holding eight ranking tournament titles, "Jiongge" has only managed one victory in five previous matches against Chinese players born in the 90s. Zhang Anda, who won one title and two runners-up last season, has been in poor form this season with his best result being the quarter-finals. In tonight's match, "Da Zai" will not only strive for victory but also aim for a perfect score of 147. If he achieves the maximum break, he will become the first player this season to complete two 147s in three major events, setting a record while earning £147,000, equivalent to a prize of 1.3 million RMB.
The latest six seats in the top 8 are all occupied by players from the 80s. There are two internal battles among the five tigers coming up: Ding Junhui vs. Trump, Robertson vs. Murphy, and another match between Selby and Mark Allen. The three tigers from the 80s have already secured two spots in the semi-finals, and if Selby wins, there will be three tigers in the semi-finals. In other words, the champion of this Masters is likely to come from among the five tigers, and we look forward to Ding Junhui achieving his second championship and creating further glory.