Masters snooker scores live: Williams v Gilbert, Ronnie O'Sullivan earns easy win

Ronnie O'Sullivan will be looking to claim an eighth Masters title from the best possible start by beating Luca Brecel in their first-round encounter this afternoon. Neil Robertson was knocked out in the first round as defending champion by Shaun Murphy on Sunday, potentially opening the door for The Rocket to restore their dominance by going all the way to Alexandra Palace this month.

O'Sullivan has already been tipped to win the grand prize by several former players, with Neal Foulds recently telling Eurosport: "I have to be predictable and say Ronnie, in the bottom half of the draw , will be very dangerous again. I'll play it safe and say Ronnie can win for the eighth time."

Jimmy White, who won the event in 1984, added: "I absolutely agree with Neal Foulds. When Ronnie lost 6-0 to Ding in the UK [Championship], I think he had some enough snooker.

"After winning the [Hong Kong Masters and Champion of Champions] tournaments, he's going to go all out and train very hard. I expect him to be in perfect condition for the Masters, so I'll go with O' Sullivan too."

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Snooker Masters Score Live

Tuesday, January 10

Mark Allen 0-6 Barry Hawkins

LIVE: Mark Williams 4-2 David Gilbert

Wednesday, January 11

1 p.m. - Judd Trump vs. Ryan Day

7 p.m. – Kyren Wilson vs. Stuart Bingham

RESULTS

Sunday 8 January

Neil Robertson 4-6 Shaun Murphy

Mark Selby 2-6 Hossein Vafaei

Monday, January 9

Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-1 Luca Brecel

John Higgins 3-6 Jack Lisowski

QUARTER-FINALS

Thursday, January 12

1pm - Mark Williams or David Gilbert vs. Ronnie O'Sullivan

7 p.m. - Hossein Vafaei vs. Jack Lisowski

Friday, January 13

1:00 p.m. - Mark Allen or Barry Hawkins vs. Judd Trump or Ryan Day

7:00 p.m. - Shaun Murphy vs. Kyren Wilson or Stuart Bingham

SEMI-FINALS

Saturday 14 January

To be confirmed vs. To be confirmed

To be confirmed vs. To be confirmed

FINAL

Sunday 15 January

To be confirmed vs. To be confirmed