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2023 European Masters

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2023BetVictorEuropean Masters
Tournament information
Dates22–27 August 2023(2023-08-22–2023-08-27)
VenueKia Metropol Arena[de][1]
CityNuremberg
CountryGermany
OrganisationWorld Snooker Tour
FormatRanking event
Total prize fund£427,000[2]
Winner's share£80,000
Highest breakSean O'Sullivan(ENG)(147)
Final
ChampionBarry Hawkins(ENG)
Runner-upJudd Trump(ENG)
Score9‍–‍6

The2023 European Masters(officially the2023 BetVictor European Masters) was a professionalsnookertournament that took place from 22 to 27 August 2023 at theKia Metropol Arena[de]inNuremberg,Germany, the first time that the main stage of a professionalranking eventwas held in that city. The 25th edition of theEuropean Masters,it was the second ranking event of the2023‍–‍24 season,following theChampionship Leagueand preceding theBritish Open.It was the second of eight tournaments in the season'sEuropean Series.The event featured a prize fund of £427,000, with the winner receiving £80,000.

Qualifying took place from 25 to 29 July 2023 at theMorningside ArenainLeicester,England, although qualifying matches involving the top eight ranked players were held over and played in Nuremberg. The world number oneRonnie O'Sullivanwithdrew for medical reasons.

Kyren Wilsonwas the defending champion, having defeatedBarry Hawkins9‍–‍3 in the final of theprevious season's event,but he lost 3‍–‍5 toJohn Higginsin the quarter-finals. Hawkins reached a second consecutive European Masters final, where he defeatedJudd Trump9‍–‍6 to win his fourth ranking title. It was his first ranking title since the2017 World Grand Prix,following four consecutive defeats in ranking finals. He re-entered the top 16 in the world rankings after the tournament, moving up from 19th to 13th place.

A total of 50 century breaks were made during the main stage, and a further 41 in qualifying.Sean O'Sullivanmade the tournament's highest break, amaximum breakin his qualifying match against Hawkins.

Format[edit]

The 2023 European Masters was a professional ranking snooker tournament played between 22 and 27 August 2023 at theKia Metropol Arena[de]inNuremberg,Germany.[1][3]The 25th edition of theEuropean Masterstournament—first held as the1989 European Open—the tournament was the secondworld ranking eventof the2023‍–‍24 season,following theChampionship Leagueand preceding theBritish Open.It was the second of eight tournaments in the season'sEuropean Series,which carries a £150,000 bonus for the player who earns the most prize money across the series.[4]Matches were played as the best of nineframesuntil the semi-finals, which were best of 11. The final was a best-of-17-frame match played over twosessions.[5][1]Kyren Wilsonwas the defending champion, having defeatedBarry Hawkins9‍–‍3 in the final of theprevious event.[6]

The tournament marked the first time that the final stages of a professional ranking event had been held in Nuremberg.[7]The event was broadcast onEurosportacross Europe. In China, the event was broadcast onSuperstar online,Liaoning TV,Migu,YoukuandHuya Live.It was also broadcast onPremier Sportsin the Philippines; onNow TVin Hong Kong; onTrue Visionin Thailand; and onAstro SuperSportin Malaysia and Brunei. In all other locations, the event was broadcast byMatchroom Sport.[8][9]

Prize fund[edit]

The event featured a prize fund of £427,000, with the winner receiving £80,000. The breakdown of prize money for this event is shown below:[2]

  • Winner: £80,000
  • Runner-up: £35,000
  • Semi-final: £17,500
  • Quarter-final: £11,000
  • Last 16: £7,500
  • Last 32: £4,500
  • Last 64: £3,000
  • Highest break: £5,000
  • Total: £427,000

Summary[edit]

Qualifying round[edit]

Sean O'Sullivan(pictured)made his first professionalmaximum breakduring the qualifying round inLeicester.

Qualifying for the event took place between 25 and 29 July at theMorningside ArenainLeicester,England.[10]The 12th seedRobert Milkinswas defeated byBen Woollaston,14th seedGary Wilsonwas defeated byBen Mertens,and 15th seedRyan Daywas defeated byZak Surety.Additionally, the 17th seedAnthony McGill,27th seedMatthew Selt,and 30th seedFan Zhengyiwere defeated byDominic Dale,Anthony Hamilton,andLyu Haotian,respectively.[10]Sean O'Sullivanmade his firstmaximum breakin professional competition againstBarry Hawkins,but lost the match.[11]

Qualifying matches featuring the top eight ranked players were played inNurembergon 22 August.[5]Graeme Dottwas scheduled to play eighth seedShaun Murphy,but he withdrew for personal reasons and was replaced in the draw bySteven Hallworth.[12]World number oneRonnie O'Sullivanwithdrew for medical reasons and his opponent,Andy Hicks,received a bye to the last 64.[13]Seventh seedNeil Robertsonlost 3‍–‍5 toWu Yize.[14]

Early rounds[edit]

The round of 64 was played on 22 and 23 August.[5]Fourth seedMark Allenwas whitewashed 0‍–‍5 byThepchaiya Un-Nooh,scoring only 17 points in the match. Un-Nooh attempted a maximum break in the final frame, but missed the 11th black.[15]Surety trailedJiang Jun0‍–‍4, but recovered to win five consecutive frames for a 5‍–‍4 victory.[15]The 13th seedJack Lisowskiand the 16th seedHossein Vafaeilost toMichael WhiteandAllan Taylorrespectively.[5]Despite winning his qualifying match in England,Liu Hongyuwas unable to travel to Germany due to visa issues, and his scheduled opponent Wu received a bye to the last 32.[12]

World championLuca Brecel(pictured)used a replacement cue after his main cue went missing on a flight. He lost toBarry Hawkinsin the last 16. The cue was subsequently recovered.

The round of 32 was played on 24 August.[5]Fifth seedJudd Trumplost the first four frames toChris Wakelinbut came back to clinch the match 5‍–‍4, meaning that Trump had won all 11 meetings between the two players. The defending champion Kyren Wilson progressed with a 5‍–‍0 whitewash of2023 World Championshipsemi-finalistSi Jiahui,while Un-Nooh lost 1‍–‍5 toAshley Carty.[16]The reigning world championLuca Brecelwas unable to use the cue with which he had won the World Championship, which had been lost on a flight fromSeattletoFrankfurt.[17]He trailedRobbie Williams0‍–‍3 before winning four consecutive frames to lead 4‍–‍3. The match went to a deciding frame, which Brecel won with a total clearance of 134, his 200th century break in professional competition. The 10th seedMark Williamslost 4‍–‍5 toJimmy Robertson.The 18th seed Hawkins defeated Surety 5‍–‍1.[18]

The round of 16 was played on 25 August.[5]Murphy played ninth seedJohn Higgins,the first time in seven years the two players had faced each other on the professional tour. Murphy won the first frame with a 113 break, but Higgins responded with breaks of 126, 66, and 120 to lead 3‍–‍1 at the mid-session interval, and went on to secure a 5‍–‍2 win. Trump and Kyren Wilson recorded whitewash victories overBen WoollastonandDuane Jonesrespectively. Carty defeated the 20th seedRicky Walden5‍–‍3 to reach the first quarter-final of his professional career.[19]Brecel would have becomeworld number onefor the first time had he reached the semi-finals of the event, but he lost 4‍–‍5 to Hawkins. Following the match, Brecel stated that his missing cue had been located after 10 days and sent to his home, which Brecel called "good news", saying he would have had a "horrible season" had it not been found. The sixth seedMark SelbydefeatedAshley Hugill5‍–‍2, while Lyu beat the 19th seedDavid Gilbert5‍–‍1.[17]

Later rounds[edit]

The quarter-finals were played on 25 August.[5]Wilson won the first frame against Higgins, but Higgins won the next three with breaks of 105, 74, and 52. After the mid-session interval, Wilson reduced Higgins's lead to one frame at 4‍–‍3, but Higgins clinched a 5‍–‍3 victory with a 118 break. Trump defeated Carty 5‍–‍1 to set up a semi-final against Higgins.[20]Selby led Lyu 3‍–‍1 at the mid-session interval, but Lyu won the fifth frame and led by 65 points to 8 in the sixth. However, Selby made a 51 break, and the frame came down to a safety battle on the final black ball, which Selby eventually potted to move 4‍–‍2 ahead. Selby clinched a 5‍–‍2 win with a 74 break in frame seven. Hawkins made an 89 break, a 52 break, and two breaks of 70 as he secured a 5‍–‍2 win overNoppon Saengkham,setting up a semi-final against Selby.[21]

Barry Hawkins(pictured)defeatedMark Selbyin the semi-finals andJudd Trumpin the final to win the tournament. It was Hawkins's fourth ranking title and his first in over six years.

The semi-finals were played on 26 August.[5]Higgins produced half-centuries of 59, 50, and 70 to take a 3‍–‍0 lead over Trump. After Higgins missed a red in frame four, Trump produced back-to-back breaks of 111 and 93 to trail by one at 3‍–‍2. Higgins took frame six with a 114 break, but Trump won frames seven and eight to level the scores at 4‍–‍4. Higgins won the ninth with breaks of 54 and 60, but Trump, assisted by a fluke on a red, took the 10th frame to force a decider. Trump then clinched a 6‍–‍5 victory with a 73 break.[22]"I wasn't at my best, but I managed to dig in and do what John [Higgins] and Mark Selby do. They don't give in. I waited for my chances and they came", Trump said afterwards.[23]

In the second semi-final, Selby won the opening frame with a 134 break, but Hawkins won the second with a 106. The scores were tied at 2‍–‍2 at the mid-session interval. Selby won frame five, before Hawkins took frames six and seven with breaks of 92 and 70. Selby tied the scores at 4‍–‍4 with a 94 break in frame eight, and made a 59 break in the ninth, but Hawkins produced a 66 clearance to win the frame on the black ball. Hawkins made a 73 break in the 10th frame to win the match 6‍–‍4 and reach his second consecutive European Masters final. He called winning the ninth frame from 59 points behind "a massive boost in confidence" and said "I held myself together under the utmost pressure".[24][25]

The final took place on 27 August as the best of 17 frames, played over two sessions, between fifth seed Trump and 18th seed Hawkins. Trump was trying to win his first ranking title since the2022 Turkish Masters.Hawkins was endeavouring to win his first ranking title since the2017 World Grand Prix,having lost four consecutive ranking finals at the2018 Welsh Open,the2018 China Open,the2022 Players Championship,and the previous season's European Masters. Hawkins won the first two frames and led 3‍–‍1 at the mid-session interval. Trump reduced his deficit to one frame with a 108 break in frame five. Hawkins won frame six with a 94 break, but Trump made a 107 break to win the seventh. In frame eight, Trump made a 60 break, but Hawkins won the frame on the black to lead 5‍–‍3 after the first session.[26]When play resumed, Hawkins won frame nine after Trump committed a foul on the final black, and won the 10th with a 53 break to lead 7‍–‍3. Trump then won three consecutive frames, reducing Hawkins's lead to one at 7‍–‍6. However, Hawkins won the last two frames for a 9‍–‍6 victory, securing his fourth ranking title.[27]“It has been such a long time since I was in the winner's enclosure. You forget how it feels", Hawkins said afterwards, commenting that: “It is up there with, if not the best win of my career".[28]He re-entered the top 16 in the world rankings after the tournament, moving up from 19th to 13th place.[29]

Main draw[edit]

The draw for the tournament is shown below. Numbers in parentheses after the players' names denote the top 32seededplayers, whilst players in bold denote match winners.[30][8]

Top half[edit]

Last 64
Best of 9 frames		Last 32
Best of 9 frames		Last 16
Best of 9 frames		Quarter-finals
Best of 9 frames		Semi-finals
Best of 11 frames
Kyren Wilson(ENG)(1)5
Alfie Burden(ENG)2
EnglandKyren Wilson(1)5
ChinaSi Jiahui(32)0
Si Jiahui(CHN)(32)5
Ken Doherty(IRL)3
EnglandKyren Wilson(1)5
WalesDuane Jones0
Hossein Vafaei(IRN)(16)0
Allan Taylor(ENG)5
EnglandAllan Taylor3
WalesDuane Jones5
Dominic Dale(WAL)2
Duane Jones(WAL)5
EnglandKyren Wilson(1)3
ScotlandJohn Higgins(9)5
Andrew Higginson(ENG)1
Zhou Yuelong(CHN)(24)5
ChinaZhou Yuelong(24)2
ScotlandJohn Higgins(9)5
Dylan Emery(WAL)1
John Higgins(SCO)(9)5
ScotlandJohn Higgins(9)5
EnglandShaun Murphy(8)2
Ross Muir(SCO)5
Joe Perry(ENG)(25)3
ScotlandRoss Muir0
EnglandShaun Murphy(8)5
Daniel Wells(WAL)2
Shaun Murphy(ENG)(8)5
ScotlandJohn Higgins(9)5
EnglandJudd Trump(5) 6
Judd Trump(ENG)(5)5
Jordan Brown(NIR)0
EnglandJudd Trump(5)5
EnglandChris Wakelin(28)4
Chris Wakelin(ENG)(28)5
Aaron Hill(IRL)0
EnglandJudd Trump(5)5
EnglandBen Woollaston0
Ben Woollaston(ENG)5
Xu Si(CHN)1
EnglandBen Woollaston5
EnglandTom Ford(21)4
Tom Ford(ENG)(21)5
Oliver Brown(ENG)2
EnglandJudd Trump(5)5
EnglandAshley Carty1
Jamie Jones(WAL)3
Ricky Walden(ENG)(20)5
EnglandRicky Walden(20)5
WalesMichael White4
Michael White(WAL)5
Jack Lisowski(ENG)(13)4
EnglandRicky Walden(20)3
EnglandAshley Carty5
Ashley Carty(ENG)5
Joe O'Connor(ENG)(29)4
EnglandAshley Carty5
ThailandThepchaiya Un-Nooh1
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh(THA)5
Mark Allen(NIR)(4)0

Bottom half[edit]

Last 64
Best of 9 frames		Last 32
Best of 9 frames		Last 16
Best of 9 frames		Quarter-finals
Best of 9 frames		Semi-finals
Best of 11 frames
Andy Hicks(ENG)5
Peng Yisong(CHN)2
EnglandAndy Hicks4
ChinaLyu Haotian5
Lyu Haotian(CHN)5
Elliot Slessor(ENG)4
ChinaLyu Haotian5
EnglandDavid Gilbert(19)1
Ben Mertens(BEL)5
Sanderson Lam(ENG)3
BelgiumBen Mertens4
EnglandDavid Gilbert(19)5
David Gilbert(ENG)(19)5
Reanne Evans(ENG)1
ChinaLyu Haotian2
EnglandMark Selby(6)5
Xiao Guodong(CHN)5
Stuart Bingham(ENG)(22)3
ChinaXiao Guodong4
EnglandAshley Hugill5
Ashley Hugill(ENG)5
Ali Carter(ENG)(11)4
EnglandAshley Hugill2
EnglandMark Selby(6)5
Louis Heathcote(ENG)1
Anthony Hamilton(ENG)5
EnglandAnthony Hamilton1
EnglandMark Selby(6)5
Adam Duffy(ENG)1
Mark Selby(ENG)(6)5
EnglandMark Selby(6)4
EnglandBarry Hawkins(18)6
Wu Yize(CHN)w/o
Liu Hongyu(CHN)[12]w/d
ChinaWu Yize2
ThailandNoppon Saengkham(26)5
Noppon Saengkham(THA)(26)5
Mark Davis(ENG)2
ThailandNoppon Saengkham(26)5
EnglandJimmy Robertson(23)4
Mark Williams(WAL)(10)5
Matthew Stevens(WAL)3
WalesMark Williams(10)4
EnglandJimmy Robertson(23)5
Jimmy Robertson(ENG)(23)5
Scott Donaldson(SCO)0
ThailandNoppon Saengkham(26)2
EnglandBarry Hawkins(18)5
James Cahill(ENG)3
Barry Hawkins(ENG)(18)5
EnglandBarry Hawkins(18)5
EnglandZak Surety1
Jiang Jun(CHN)4
Zak Surety(ENG)5
EnglandBarry Hawkins(18)5
BelgiumLuca Brecel(2)4
Robbie Williams(ENG)5
Pang Junxu(CHN)(31)1
EnglandRobbie Williams4
BelgiumLuca Brecel(2)5
Ishpreet Singh Chadha(IND)3
Luca Brecel(BEL)(2)5
Note:w/o = walk-over; w/d = withdrawn

Final[edit]

Final:Best of 17 frames. Referee:Maike Kesseler
Kia Metropol Arena,Nuremberg,Germany, 27 August 2023
Judd Trump(5)
England 		6–9 Barry Hawkins(18)
England
Afternoon:46–60,32–78,65–43, 42–70,108–14 (108), 0–94,108–6 (107), 60–70
Evening:55–62,1–93,75–31,70–6,73–49, 0–75,13–71
(frame 5)108 Highest break 94 (frame 6)
2 Century breaks 0

Qualifying[edit]

The results from qualification are shown below. Numbers in parentheses after the players' names denote the top 32seededplayers, whilst players in bold denote match winners.

Nuremberg[edit]

The results of the held over qualifying matches played inNurembergon 22 August were as follows:[31]

Leicester[edit]

The results of the qualifying matches played inLeicesterwere as follows:[10]

25 July[edit]

26 July[edit]

27 July[edit]

28 July[edit]

29 July[edit]

Century breaks[edit]

Main stage centuries[edit]

A total of 50 century breaks were made during the main stage of the tournament.[32][33]

Qualifying stage centuries[edit]

A total of 41 century breaks were made during the qualifying stage of the tournament.[10][34]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^Ronnie O'Sullivanwithdrew due to medical reasons.[13]
  2. ^Steven HallworthreplacedGraeme Dottwho withdrew.[12]

References[edit]

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External links[edit]

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