In the 2025 Snooker Masters, thrilling matches continued to unfold, delighting fans. On January 17th, the competition continued with varying performances from the Chinese players making their debut. Among them, Zhang Anda played steadily but ultimately lost 4-6 to new World Championship winner Kyren Wilson, unfortunately exiting the tournament. Another young player, Si Jiahui, fought hard against world number four Mark Allen, scoring two breaks over 60 and one century break, but was unable to advance with a final score of 2-6. Notably, Ding Junhui performed exceptionally well in his match against Ma Shu, fighting back tenaciously despite trailing 4-5 and eventually reversing the situation to advance to the quarter-finals.
In other matches, the contest between Neil Robertson and Shaun Murphy received significant attention. The two players had previously faced each other 39 times in the tour, with Robertson leading 25 wins to 14. However, this match presented a different picture. Murphy showcased his strong comeback ability after falling behind in the first game, successfully overtaking with a single break of 90 points. Throughout the match, Murphy made multiple breaks over 60, ultimately advancing smoothly with a score of 6-2, demonstrating his good form.
Another focus match was the duel between Allen and Selby. This match drew the attention of many spectators, with past records showing Allen leading narrowly at 14 wins to 13. Allen started off strong with a single break of 81 points, while Selby responded with an 88-point break in the second game to keep the score close. Allen scored the only century break of the match in the third game and then won four consecutive games, quickly establishing a 5-1 lead. Despite Selby's attempt to turn the tide with an 80-point break in the seventh game, he was ultimately eliminated with a score of 2-6, which was surprising.
As the competition progressed, the semi-final spots gradually became clear. In this tournament, Ding Junhui's performance stood out, successfully advancing to the semi-finals with efficient attacking and psychological fortitude in crucial moments. Meanwhile, the advancement of Allen and Murphy undoubtedly added interest to their subsequent matches. Although many anticipated players did not progress further in this tournament, the rise of young players brought a fresh breath to the sport.
In the upcoming matches, Ding Junhui will face Trump, while post-90s player Luca will challenge Kyren Wilson. As the schedule advances, audiences look forward to more exciting encounters and unexpected results. Snooker, a sport full of variables, always delivers reversals and surprises at critical moments.
Through this event, fans not only witnessed the top players' exquisite skills but also felt the growth and potential of the younger generation of players. In future snooker competitions, who will become the new legend remains a suspenseful topic. As the matches continue, audiences also anticipate more heart-pounding moments and brilliant highlights to come.