Shanghai Masters (snooker)

The Shanghai Masters is a professional ranking snooker tournament held annually in Shanghai, China. It is part of the World Snooker Tour.

History

The tournament was first held in 2007. Initially, it was a non-ranking event, but it became a ranking event in 2008, retaining this status until the present. Over the years, it has attracted a strong field of top professional snooker players, contributing significantly to the sport's global presence. The tournament has seen several notable champions, reflecting the changing landscape of professional snooker. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was cancelled in 2020 and 2021. It returned in 2022.

Format

The tournament typically follows a standard professional snooker format, with a number of rounds leading to a final match. The exact number of players and rounds may vary slightly from year to year. Matches are played as best-of-n frames, with the 'n' varying depending on the round. The final is usually a best-of-19 frames.

Prize Fund

The prize fund for the Shanghai Masters is substantial, reflecting its status as a ranking event. The exact amount varies from year to year but is generally in the hundreds of thousands of pounds/dollars. The winner receives a significant portion of the prize money.

Winners

A list of past winners can be found on the World Snooker Tour's official website. [This section would list the winners and years if information was readily available].

Venue

The tournament is generally held at the [Venue Name], a prominent venue in Shanghai, China. [Specific Venue details would be added here if readily available]

Significance

The Shanghai Masters is an important tournament on the World Snooker Tour, offering valuable ranking points and prize money to the players. It is a key event in the snooker calendar and a significant contributor to the sport's global popularity, particularly in Asia.