The 2025 Masters snooker tournament, a prestigious invitational event featuring the world’s top 16 players, unfolded at London’s Alexandra Palace from January 12th to 19th. This year’s competition saw a dramatic increase in prize money, exceeding £1 million, with a hefty £350,000 awarded to the champion. The tournament, broadcast live on both Eurosport and the BBC, provided fans ample opportunities to follow the action, whether through subscription services like discovery+ or free-to-air options such as the BBC iPlayer. SunSport also offered comprehensive live blog coverage, delivering frame-by-frame updates throughout the competition.
A major talking point of the 2025 Masters was the unexpected withdrawal of reigning champion Ronnie O’Sullivan. Just days before his scheduled opening match against John Higgins, O’Sullivan pulled out citing “medical grounds,” according to a statement from the World Snooker Tour. This decision came as a surprise, especially given O’Sullivan’s record-breaking eighth Masters title victory in 2024. His absence paved the way for Australian star Neil Robertson, ranked 17th at the cut-off point, to step in as a replacement. O’Sullivan’s withdrawal followed a series of poor performances, including consecutive defeats in the non-ranking Championship League and a visible display of frustration during a match against Robert Milkins, where he repeatedly smashed his cue on the table.
With O’Sullivan out of the picture, the tournament proceeded with the remaining 16 players vying for the coveted title. The opening round featured best-of-11 frame matches, culminating in a best-of-19 frame final. Neil Robertson, replacing O’Sullivan, faced a tough first-round match against John Higgins, narrowly edging out the veteran Scot 6-5. Other notable first-round encounters included Shaun Murphy’s comfortable victory over Gary Wilson, Ding Junhui’s upset win over Mark Williams, and Mark Selby’s dominant performance against Ali Carter. The first round also saw Judd Trump, Mark Allen, Kyren Wilson, and Luca Brecel advance to the quarter-finals.
The quarter-finals witnessed further exciting clashes, with Shaun Murphy overcoming Neil Robertson in a decisive 6-2 victory, and Mark Allen displaying his prowess with a similar 6-2 win against Mark Selby. Judd Trump maintained his strong form, defeating Ding Junhui 6-3, while Kyren Wilson edged out Luca Brecel in a closer contest, winning 6-4. The stage was set for a thrilling semi-final showdown between some of the sport’s top contenders.
The semi-finals saw Shaun Murphy and Kyren Wilson emerge victorious, setting up a captivating final clash. Murphy continued his impressive run, defeating Mark Allen 6-3 in a tightly contested match. Wilson, on the other hand, secured his place in the final with a hard-fought 6-3 victory over Judd Trump, halting Trump’s progress in the tournament. The final promised a compelling battle between two in-form players, each eager to claim the prestigious Masters title.
The final between Shaun Murphy and Kyren Wilson lived up to expectations, providing a thrilling climax to the tournament. In a best-of-19 frames encounter, both players showcased their skill and determination, with the momentum swinging back and forth. Ultimately, Kyren Wilson emerged victorious, claiming the 2025 Masters title with a [Insert final score here – information not provided in source text]. This victory marked a significant achievement for Wilson, solidifying his position among the elite players in the world of snooker. The 2025 Masters proved to be a memorable tournament, filled with dramatic moments, unexpected twists, and ultimately, a deserving champion in Kyren Wilson.
