German Masters 2016 - Qualifying Review

German Masters 2016 - Qualifying Review

Over the past few days, some of the top snooker players on the planet, including Judd Trump, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ding Junhui, have been battling in Wigan for a spot at the Last 32 of the German Masters in Berlin.

Read on for the full article...

The likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Ding Junhui and Judd Trump were all in action, whilst many other top stars including Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy and Stuart Bingham also competed.

We take a look at some of the standout results from the qualifiers last weekend, and consider which player could go on to win trophy in Berlin next February.

Ronnie O'SullivanRonnie O’Sullivan is widely regarded as the most talented player in the world, but he suffered a shock defeat to Stuart Carrington at the weekend, losing his final qualifying match 5-3. ‘Rocket’ Ronnie, who has been on a break since May, returned to the baize for the first time but fell short against Grimsby's Carrington in Wigan.

The result meant that crowd favourite O’Sullivan will not be taking part in February’s tournament in Berlin, and punters who were hoping to use Betfred free bets and back the five-time world champion for success, will have to re-think their strategy.

Meanwhile, China's No.1 Ding Junhui also crashed out at the final hurdle as he fell to countryman Tian Pengfei 5-3. The world number nine was the red hot favourite to earn the victory, but a number of disappointing errors at crucial moments, cost the former UK & Masters champion.

Ding will be aiming to win his first World Snooker Championship in 2016, but he must improve on his current form. Despite this, snooker fans will be keen to back ‘The Dragon’ by using Betfred free bets, as they are the sponsors of the World Snooker Championship, and are bound to offer various enhancements throughout the tournament.

'The Ace' Judd Trump secured his place in the German Masters after a dominant performance 5-2 victory over Scotland’s Rhys Clark. Trump has failed to live up to his full promise in recent years, but will be keen to win February’s event and build on a much improved 2015.

There were also victories for Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy, Stuart Bingham, and UK finalist Liang Wenbo, who all progress to the final stages in Berlin. Meanwhile Neil Robertson, Ricky Walden, Joe Perry and Michael White were all casualties of the qualifiers and won't be joining their fellow pros at the Tempodrom next February.

Without a doubt, 2015 World Grand Prix champion Judd Trump will be there or thereabouts in both the German Masters and World Championship. Trump is 11/2 to win April’s showpiece competition and a victory in Germany will only help to build momentum.

Only time will tell, but both O’Sullivan and Ding will be confident of reaching the later stages of the World Snooker Championship. If they don’t, then Trump will be there to take advantage and will be one of the leading candidates for victory at the Crucible this May.

For all the results from the 2016 German Masters qualifiers, and for the draw for the main stages, head to Snooker.org

 

Posted Dec 22, 2015
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