Masters Snooker 2025: Matches and results as Judd Trump and others return to Alexandra Palace after Ronnie O'Sullivan withdrawal

2025 edition of The Masters runs from January 12-19 at London's Alexandra Palace; defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan pulled out ahead of clash against John Higgins on medical grounds; Judd Trump faces Barry Hawkins in UK Championship final rematch

Friday 10 January 2025 11:50, UK

Neil Robertson will face John Higgins in the opening round of the 2025 Masters after Ronnie O'Sullivan pulled out of the tournament on Friday.

O'Sullivan, who was won the competition eight times, was due to face John Higgins in the opening match on Sunday afternoon but he pulled out on medical grounds.

O'Sullivan was the defending champion after beating Ali Carter 10-7 in the 2024 final but hasn't made it past the semi-finals of any tournament this season.

The 48-year-old was knocked out in the first round of the recent UK Championship in York, an event won by world No 1 Judd Trump as he beat O'Sullivan's conqueror Barry Hawkins 10-8.

A statement from the World Snooker Tour read: "Neil Robertson has replaced Ronnie O'Sullivan in the draw for the upcoming Johnstone's Paint Masters.

"Last year's champion O'Sullivan was due to face John Higgins in the opening match on Sunday afternoon, but has withdrawn on medical grounds."

Trump and Hawkins will meet again in the opening round of The Masters, which runs from January 12-19, while reigning world champion Kyren Wilson takes on Zhang Anda.

Another standout tie pits two-time Masters champion Mark Willams up against 2011 winner Ding Junhui.

The Masters is an invitational event with the top 16 players in the world given places.

No ranking points are awarded but the tournament is one of the most treasured on the calendar and forms part of the Triple Crown, alongside the World Championship and UK Championship.