Wales’ Matthew Stevens happy with return of Masters Tournament – Snooker news
One of the Triple Crowns of Snooker, the Masters Championship, will soon be on television screens from January 15. All top players of snooker are ready to take on the challengers in the tournament as they are already sharpening their cue sticks
to produce some thrilling performances.
The 2012 Masters event will commence at the Alexandra Palace in London featuring the likes of World Champion, John Higgins, the UK Championship winner, Judd Trump, former Champion, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams, Matthew Stevens, Mark Selby,
Neil Robertson and Ding Junhui at the baize.
Current World Number 13, Wales’ Matthew Stevens, like many other, is also excited about the return of snooker’s third most prestigious tournament, after UK Championship and World Championship. The Welshman is aiming to create some impressive
snooker genius at the arena and make his presence felt during the event.
Speaking to the local media on the return of Masters, Stevens said, "It's one of the tournaments all the top players want to be in. I've not been involved in it for a few years so it's great to be back. I'm sure Alexandra Palace will be completely
different to Wembley so it's a fresh start for all the players.”
The Carmarthen potter added, “Being back in the top 16 has made a massive difference for me. With all the new tournaments the calendar is very busy, so if I had to go to the qualifiers as well it would be a lot tougher.”
Unfortunately, Stevens lost hope after he dropped out of the top 16 in 2007 and missed the Masters berth a few times. However, he sprang back into his form and eventually made it back into the top 16 and now he feels ready to take on any player.
The Welsh Dragon understands the kind of pressure a cueman goes through when he plays in such a big tournament. He clinched the Masters’ title back in 2000 after beating former World Champion, Ken Doherty, by the score of 10-8 in the final.
Stevens will go head-to-head against the current World Snooker Champion, Scotland’s John Higgins, in the initial round of the 2012 Masters.
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