Mark Allen is among the many favourites for the title because the 2024 Shanghai Masters commences on Monday in China.
The Northern Irishman gained’t start his tilt for glory on the prestigious invitational till Wednesday when he takes on both Gary Wilson or Pang Junxu within the final 16.
The match will mark the primary time Allen will get introduced into an area because the world primary, having claimed high spot within the rankings on the finish of final season.
Allen is simply the twelfth world primary in snooker historical past and represents the primary new title on the summit of the standings since Ding Junhui achieved the feat a decade in the past.
“It’s thrilling, it’s my first time doing it,” Mark Allen advised the World Snooker Tour on the eve of the 2024 Shanghai Masters.
“I hope I hit the bottom operating and hopefully give myself an opportunity come Sunday to win a event.”
“As of now, I’d say no [it doesn’t feel different being world number one]. I simply wish to go on the market and play snooker.
“However once I go on the market on Wednesday, it’d really feel completely different being launched as world primary.
“I’ve handled the stress of all types proper all through my profession, so I don’t suppose I’ll be too dangerous at dealing with this one. It’s downside to have.
“I’ve all the time obtained further motivation from myself anyway – I wish to do properly, and I wish to do properly yearly.
“However yeah, it’s good to have that focus on on my again. Usually, you’re the one form of capturing for somebody, however it’s what it’s.
“I’ve to take care of it. I may come right here and lose within the first spherical. It’s the perfect gamers on this planet, so it’s good to carry out.
“Whether or not I’m primary or quantity 16, everybody goes to really feel like they’ve obtained an opportunity right here on this event.”
The 2024 Shanghai Masters options the highest 16 from the official two-year rankings record along with eight different opponents from China.
It’s China’s longest-running event, relationship again to 2007 when the competitors was initially staged as a rating occasion.
A September slot on the calendar had been widespread for the Shanghai Masters, however for the primary time this yr the occasion has been moved ahead to a lot earlier within the season.
“I’ll be sincere, I’d all the time like a event or two earlier than a giant occasion like this. However it’s what it’s, we’re all in the identical boat,” Allen mentioned.
“None of us have had a event because the World Championship, so we’re all in all probability wanting to get at it however a bit of bit apprehensive as properly.”
“You don’t actually know the place your recreation is at till you truly play a match. You simply should go on the market and play properly like in every other event.
“It’s bizarre being right here in July – there’s a special feeling within the air right here in Shanghai. But it surely’s considered one of my favorite tournaments of the yr.
“It’s my favorite by far of all of the China occasions, so I’m wanting ahead to hopefully doing properly.
“This is among the ones that you just wish to win, it’s the highest 16 on this planet. These are the occasions you wish to win in.
“It’s disappointing that I haven’t been capable of cross that line thus far, however I get one other go right here this week. That’s what I’m wanting ahead to.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan is the defending Shanghai Masters champion having emerged with the silverware the final 4 occasions the occasion has been staged.
World champion Kyren Wilson, Judd Trump, and Ding Junhui are among the many different marquee names within the discipline.
2024 Shanghai Masters draw
All occasions in UTC+1
Spherical 1 (bo11)
Zhang Anda 3-6 Zhou Jinhao
Ali Carter 6-0 Qiu Lei
Tom Ford 3-6 Si Jiahui
Mark Williams 6-3 Wang Xinbo
Gary Wilson vs Pang Junxu
(July 16: 2:30am)
Jak Jones vs Cao Jin
(July 16: 2:30am)
John Higgins vs Lyu Haotian
(July 15: 12:30pm)
Barry Hawkins vs Zhou Yuelong
(July 15: 12:30pm)
Spherical 2 (bo11)
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Zhou Jinhao
(July 16: 7am)
Ding Junhui vs Ali Carter
(July 16: 12:30pm)
Luca Brecel vs Si Jiahui
(July 16: 7am)
Judd Trump vs Mark Williams
(July 16: 12:30pm)
Mark Allen vs G. Wilson/Pang
(July 17: 7am)
Mark Selby vs Jones/Cao
(July 17: 7am)
Shaun Murphy vs Higgins/Lyu
(July 17: 12:30pm)
Kyren Wilson vs Hawkins/Zhou
(July 17: 12:30pm)
Quarter-Finals (bo11)
TBC vs TBC
(July 18: 12:30pm)
TBC vs TBC
(July 18: 12:30pm)
TBC vs TBC
(July 18: 7am)
TBC vs TBC
(July 18: 7am)
Semi-Finals (bo19)
TBC vs TBC
(July 20: 7am and 12:30pm)
TBC vs TBC
(July 19: 7am and 12:30pm)
Last (bo21)
TBC vs TBC
(July 21: 7am and 12:30pm)
Featured picture credit score: WST