UPDATE
Snooker Event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Generous Monetary Rewards and Coveted Golden Sphere
In the final match of the Riyadh Season World Masters' grand finale, Ronnie O’Sullivan wrapped up victory with a 5:2 triumph over defending champion Luca Brecel. The competition started on a balanced footing, and it was tied at 2:2 following the mid-session pause. O’Sullivan then took charge, winning three consecutive frames. In the decisive seventh frame, The Rocket even managed a 124, marking his 1,250th career century.
In the preceding semi-finals, Luca Brecel commanded a 4:2 win over Mark Allen. The much-anticipated second semi-final between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump was filled with surprises. Neither competitor performed at their best. Judd Trump, in particular, faltered, committing errors that are uncommon in his usual game. Ronnie O’Sullivan clinched a comforting 4:1 win against his significant rival in the race for the world championship.*
Through the tournament, no competitor was capable of pocketing the infamous golden ball, which had sparked much debate in the past. During the prize ceremony, Turki Al Alshikh, the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority's board, announced that the bonus would be doubled at the following Riyadh World Masters of Snooker, amounting to a staggering 1 million US dollars.
Following this exhilarating tournament in Riyadh, the OnlineCasinosDeutschland.com news team eagerly anticipates the World Open 2024. The tournament is scheduled to be held between March 18 and 24 in the Chinese city of Yushan. The crème de la crème of the snooker world will compete for the impressive 170,000 GBP (198,979 Euro) prize fund. Audience members can tune in to the action live on Eurosport. We will provide a comprehensive preview before the tournament, including enticing background information, favorable picks, and betting odds.
The Riyadh Season World Masters - Full Swing
The Riyadh Season World Masters [Link in English] is currently underway, marking the inaugural snooker tournament in Saudi Arabia. This event, featuring the top ten snooker players in the world rankings, as well as two local wildcard players, has sparked immense interest.
Announced only a few weeks ago, this tournament has caused a stir with its extravagant prize money. The grand total for this playoff tournament is 735,000 GBP (860,380 Euro). The champion will walk away with a 250,000 GBP (292,650 Euro) prize, while the runner-up will receive a decent consolation of 125,000 GBP (146,320 Euro). Interestingly, the first player to achieve a 167 break will receive an additional bonus of 395,000 GBP (462,270 Euro).
This means that the victor in Riyadh will be awarded the second-highest prize money in snooker history, surpassed only by the World Championship.
The presence of two Saudi wildcard players and the elite top ten players in the world rankings adds to the excitement of this tournament for spectators. Along with the current champion Luca Brecel, 28, renowned snooker legends like Ronnie O’Sullivan, 48, Judd Trump, 34, and Mark Selby, 40, have joined the event in Saudi Arabia.
The Riyadh Season Ball - Snooker's New Challenge
The Riyadh Season World Masters introduces a fresh feature: the golden ball, or Riyadh Season Ball. This ball lies at the back of the table, in the center of the lower cushion, before each frame. The golden ball remains on the table as long as a player can achieve a perfect 147 break. Once this is no longer achievable, the ball is removed from the table.
If a player manages to achieve a 147 maximum break, they can pocket the golden ball and score a 167 maximum break. The first player to accomplish this in a tournament will receive a bonus of £395,000 (€462,270).
No player has managed to pot the golden ball so far in the early rounds or the quarterfinals. Ronnie O'Sullivan and other players have already expressed their interest in attempting the Riyadh Season Ball before the tournament [English link]:
Check out this Instagram post [English link] A post shared by WST (@worldsnookertour)
Ronnie O'Sullivan, considered by fans as the greatest snooker player of all time, has been on strike for several years due to his belief that the prize money for a 147 maximum break is insufficient. He has been particularly motivated in Riyadh, with the £395,000 (€462,270) bonus as his target.
Snooker is one of the sports being hosted in Saudi Arabia. In recent years, the country on the Persian Gulf has witnessed an increase in sports events, including Formula 1 races in Jeddah, major boxing matches, tennis tournaments, and golf competitions. The Saudi Pro League has garnered significant attention, with star players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema currently participating there.
Fans voice mixed opinions about this trend. The snooker tournament in Riyadh has been met with similar sentiments, with criticisms that women's rights and freedom of speech are being deprioritized, leading to calls for a boycott of the Riyadh Season World Masters.
However, players have praised the overall atmosphere. They emphasize the positive vibes and feel comfortable playing at this tournament [English link]:
*"I don't drink, I don't socialize much, so this place is perfect for me. In the UK, it's mainly about pubs, so I don't really drink, and when I find a place like this, I just feel at ease and can have a good time." – Ronnie O'Sullivan, 7-time Snooker World Champion, appearing on GBNews
Semi-final 1: Luca Brecel vs. Mark Allen
The first semi-final kicks off today, March 6, at 3 PM. Title holder Luca Brecel goes head-to-head with Mark Allen, who has triumphed in three events this season.
Brecel sealed his spot in the semis with a dominant 4-1 victory over Ali Carter. Allen had a tighter battle against Mark Selby, ultimately emerging victorious with a 4-3 scoreline.
Bookmakers are backing Mark Allen for the upcoming semi-final, offering odds of 1.67 for an Allen win. A Brecel victory is priced at 2.2.
Semi-final 2: Judd Trump vs. Ronnie O'Sullivan
As soon as the first match ends, the second semi-final will commence, with two of this season's top snooker players, Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan, who are also tipped as the most likely winners for this year's World Championship according to the bookmakers.
Trump has been in formidable form recently, capturing the English Open, Wuhan Open, Northern Ireland Open, and German Masters in Berlin in January. However, his path to the semis was challenging, as he recovered from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Shaun Murphy 4-3.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's quarterfinal performance was nothing short of impressive. He defeated John Higgins 4-0, showcasing three consecutive century breaks [English link]. The match lasted just 60 minutes, and Higgins failed to score a single ball. The final score was 489-4.
The awaited semifinal between Trump and O'Sullivan is creating excitement amongst snooker enthusiasts. Bookmakers are leaning towards O'Sullivan at 1.67, with Trump listed at 2.2.
The final will also take place today, starting at 8 PM Central European Time and broadcast on Eurosport in free-to-air TV, just like the two semifinals. The winner of the tournament will be crowned, and we'll find out if any player manages to pot the golden ball and claim the hefty prize.
After securing his victory in the Riyadh Season World Masters, Ronnie O'Sullivan expressed his excitement about attempting the Riyadh Season Ball in future tournaments. (News: O'Sullivan's Future Plans)
Following the conclusion of the Riyadh Season World Masters, fans and players shared contrasting views about hosting such high-profile events in Saudi Arabia. (News: Controversy Surrounding Riyadh Season World Masters)
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