Ronnie O'Sullivan and Masters tournament organizers have set up an exciting first match between the two, which will take place at Alexandra Palace.

As the new year approaches, snooker fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming Masters tournament at Alexandra Palace in January. Among the crowd favorites is the defending champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan, who will be facing off against the legendary John Higgins in the opening round. The two have a long history of intense battles on the green baize, with O'Sullivan coming out on top in their previous Masters finals in 1995 and 2005, but Higgins getting his revenge in a nail-biting 10-9 victory in 2006.

But O'Sullivan and Higgins aren't the only ones to keep an eye on in this star-studded event. Mark Williams will be taking on Ding Junhui, while Judd Trump, fresh off his victory at the UK Championship, will have a rematch with Barry Hawkins. And let's not forget the debutants, Si Jiahui and Chris Wakelin, who have earned their spot in the draw after impressive performances at the Wuhan Open and International Championship earlier this season.

The 2025 Masters tournament will run from January 12th to 19th, with the winner walking away with a whopping £350,000, an increase from previous years. Reigning champion O'Sullivan will be vying for his record-breaking ninth title, after defeating Ali Carter 10-7 in last year's final. And there are some new faces to look out for, with Si Jiahui taking on Mark Allen and Chris Wakelin facing off against last year's world champion, Luca Brecel.

But before the Masters, there's still plenty of snooker action to come, with the Shoot Out, Scottish Open, and Riyadh Season Snooker Championship all taking place before Christmas. The draw for the 2025 Masters was made during the UK Championship final, adding to the excitement for the upcoming tournament.

For those who can't make it to Alexandra Palace, the Masters will be broadcast live on BBC and Eurosport/Discovery+. And with a total prize pool of over £1 million, including a top prize of £350,000 for the winner, the Masters promises to be a thrilling and highly-competitive event. So mark your calendars and get ready for some top-notch snooker action at the 2025 Masters!

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