Four of the first round ties at the 2020 Masters look completely even and could swing in either direction at the end of the encounters. With none of them looking outstandingly better than their opponent on paper, all of these matches could throw up any number of outcomes.
One of such is the battle between Neil Robertson and Stephen Maguire. Both players battle each other in this tournament for the fourth time, with three of the four previous meetings won by Robertson.
Maguire, a runner-up in the just concluded UK Championship will be looking to get back on his feet once again, after that disappointing loss to Ding Junhui in the finals.
Neil Robertson, of course has the wherewithal to succeed in this tournament, an event he is isn’t new to. The Scot will be relishing his win in 2012 and would be excited to stash this one away in his medal room.
The winner of this encounter is poised to lock horns with any of Mark Allen or Gilbert, both of which are enjoying a stellar season, yet, without nay silverware to show for all their excellent performances.
The former, Allen has had himself running into so many semi-finals losses on the bounce and would only see himself an inch closer to the title if he makes it through to the final. On the other hand, Gilbert suffered a worrisome fourth final defeat at the English Open in October when he was thumped by English man, Mark Selby.
Elsewhere, two-time world champion, Mark Williams locks horns with Stuart Bingham in what is expected to be a tight duel. Kyren Wilson and Jack Lisowski, who coincidentally happen to the youngest players at the tournament go head-to-head in the battle of the fittest.
Mark Williams gives off the impression that he is done with the snooker game, but that isn’t so as has been proven times without number, Williams, 44, has failed to win the Masters since he last did in 2003, a record he would like to wash off by etching his name on the Paul Hunter trophy.
Bingham has the upper hand should it be down to their head-to-head records, so fans of the sport should expect the game to go down to the wire.