2018 Masters (snooker)

The 2018 Dafabet Masters saw the sixteen highest ranked players in the snooker world rankings compete, with no qualification round.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Calendar-2017-18-v19.pdf|title=2017/18 World Snooker Calendar|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|date=14 July 2017|access-date=23 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918212149/http://www.worldsnooker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Calendar-2017-18-v19.pdf|archive-date=18 September 2017|url-status=dead}} Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was the number one seed, with remaining places being allocated to players based on the world rankings after the 2017 UK Championship.

With Stuart Bingham, ranked 12th, suspended for betting breaches,{{refn|On 24 October 2017, Bingham was found guilty of breaking World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) rules on betting on matches involving himself and other players. He received a six month ban (of which, three months and one day were suspended) for betting breaches, and was also ordered to pay £20,000 in costs. The partial ban expired at the end of January 2018.|group=note}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/41732548|title=Stuart Bingham banned over betting on snooker matches|date=24 October 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025190024/http://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/41732548|archive-date=25 October 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/wpbsa-statement-stuart-bingham/|title=WPBSA Statement – Stuart Bingham|date=24 October 2017|work=World Snooker|access-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025190549/http://www.worldsnooker.com/wpbsa-statement-stuart-bingham/|archive-date=25 October 2017|url-status=dead}} Liang Wenbo, ranked 17th, was invited in his stead.{{cite web |url=http://www.wpbsa.com/rankings/race-to-the-masters/ |title=Race to the Masters |website=wpbsa.com |access-date=9 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225225713/http://www.wpbsa.com/rankings/race-to-the-masters/ |archive-date=25 December 2017 |url-status=dead}} Luca Brecel and Anthony McGill made their Masters debuts at the event. A notable absentee was former Masters champion Neil Robertson, who had participated in every Masters tournament since 2006, but had failed to be ranked high enough in time for the event, at rank 20;{{cite web |title=The Masters snooker 2018 dates, schedule, odds and TV coverage |work=Metro |last=Haigh |first=Phil |date=12 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/01/12/masters-snooker-2018-dates-schedule-odds-tv-coverage-7223918/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121233001/https://metro.co.uk/2018/01/12/masters-snooker-2018-dates-schedule-odds-tv-coverage-7223918/ |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}} Robertson would return to the event the following season.{{cite web |title=Snooker news – Neil Robertson pounces on Mark Williams miss to rampage into last eight, Hawkins win |work=Eurosport UK |date=15 January 2019 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/the-masters/2018-2019/snooker-news-neil-robertson-pounces-on-mark-williams-miss-to-rampage-into-last-eight_sto7092629/story.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121233057/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/the-masters/2018-2019/snooker-news-neil-robertson-pounces-on-mark-williams-miss-to-rampage-into-last-eight_sto7092629/story.shtml |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}

As in previous years, the top eight seeds were allocated fixed positions in the draw. The other eight players were positioned by drawing lots during the final of the 2017 UK Championship.{{cite web |title=Dafabet Masters Draw And Format – World Snooker |work=World Snooker |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/dafabet-masters-draw-format/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122043933/http://www.worldsnooker.com/dafabet-masters-draw-format/ |archive-date=22 January 2019 |url-status=dead}}

File:Kyren Wilson PHC 2018-4.jpg won his first match at the event, before reaching the final.]]

Sixteen players took part in the first round of the competition, which was played between 14 and 17 January 2018. Defending champion and top seed, Ronnie O'Sullivan, whitewashed ninth seed Marco Fu 6–0, making three centuries during the match.{{Cite news|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/awesome-osullivan-white-washes-fu/|title=Awesome O'Sullivan White-Washes Fu|date=16 January 2018|work=World Snooker|access-date=16 January 2018|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118124837/http://www.worldsnooker.com/awesome-osullivan-white-washes-fu/}} In the first four frames, O'Sullivan scored a total of 477 points without reply while Fu gained only five points due to a foul.{{cite web |title=Masters: Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Marco Fu 6–0 at Alexandra Palace |work=BBC Sport |date=16 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42706136 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220064720/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42706136 |archive-date=20 December 2018 |url-status=live}}

Mark Williams won a match at the Masters for the first time in five years, recovering from 3–5 behind to beat World Champion and World number one, Mark Selby, 6–5.{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/the-masters/2017-2018/mark-williams-hits-back-to-dump-world-champion-mark-selby-in-masters-thriller_sto6476252/story.shtml|title=Mark Williams hits back to dump world champion Mark Selby in Masters thriller|date=14 January 2018|newspaper=Eurosport|access-date=14 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=17 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217202926/https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/the-masters/2017-2018/mark-williams-hits-back-to-dump-world-champion-mark-selby-in-masters-thriller_sto6476252/story.shtml}} Playing in his first Masters tournament in eight years, the other Welsh player in the draw, Ryan Day, came from 0–3 down to beat World number four and former champion, Ding Junhui, 6–4.{{Cite news|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/day-fight-back-stuns-ding/|title=Day fight back stuns Ding|date=15 January 2018|work=World Snooker|access-date=15 January 2018|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116004442/http://www.worldsnooker.com/day-fight-back-stuns-ding/}}

Shaun Murphy defeated Ali Carter 6–4. Murphy was leading 4–0 before Carter won the next four frames to level the match, but Murphy survived the comeback and won two more frames for victory.{{cite web |title=Masters: 'Nervous' Shaun Murphy edges past Ali Carter at Alexandra Palace |work=BBC Sport |date=17 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42724738 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131181256/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42724738 |archive-date=31 January 2019 |url-status=live}} Former World Championship finalist, Judd Trump, defeated Liang Wenbo by a score of 6–4 in the first round.{{cite web |title=Masters: Judd Trump overcomes Liang Wenbo at Alexandra Palace |work=BBC Sport |date=15 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42694847 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121235809/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42694847 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}

Mark Allen safely reached the second round by defeating Masters debutant Luca Brecel 6–3.{{cite web |title=Masters: Mark Allen knocks out Luca Brecel – five best shots |work=BBC Sport |date=14 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/snooker/42684136 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121233209/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/snooker/42684136 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}} Kyren Wilson secured his first victory in a Masters match after having lost in the first round of his Masters debut the previous year. He defeated former Masters finalist, Barry Hawkins, 6–4 in the first round of this edition of the tournament.{{cite web |title=Masters: Kyren Wilson beats Barry Hawkins 6–4 to reach quarter-finals |work=BBC Sport |date=16 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42712553 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121235913/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42712553 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}} Former champion, John Higgins, won the first two frames in his tie against Anthony McGill, before McGill took the next four (including a match-high {{cuegloss|break}} of 122 in frame 4) to lead 4–2. Higgins, however, won the next four frames to win the match 6–4.{{Cite web |title=John Higgins overcomes Anthony McGill in 6–4 epic |work=Eurosport |date=17 January 2018 |access-date=9 July 2019 |url= https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/john-higgins-overcomes-anthony-mcgill-in-6-4-epic_sto6483354/story.shtml |url-status=live |archive-date=9 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709165736/https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/john-higgins-overcomes-anthony-mcgill-in-6-4-epic_sto6483354/story.shtml}}

The quarter-finals were played on 18 and 19 January 2018. Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was knocked out of the tournament by Mark Allen, who won their quarter-final match 6–1.{{cite web |title=Masters 2018: Mark Allen beats Ronnie O'Sullivan at Alexandra Palace |work=BBC Sport |date=18 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42736819 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231045216/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42736819 |archive-date=31 December 2018 |url-status=live}} Having suffered his first loss at the Masters since 2015, O'Sullivan claimed afterwards that he had been feeling ill before the match and was "glad" to be out of the competition. He also revealed, however, that he had not been feeling well during his whitewash of Marco Fu in the first round.{{cite web |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan reveals health problems during Masters thrashing of Marco Fu |work=Dailystar.co.uk |first=Luke |last=Gardener |date=17 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/other-sports/674546/Masters-2018-Snooker-Ronnie-O-Sullivan-health-problems-Marco-Fu-win |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121233118/https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/other-sports/674546/Masters-2018-Snooker-Ronnie-O-Sullivan-health-problems-Marco-Fu-win |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=dead}}{{deps|certain=y|date=March 2023}} After the match, Allen mentioned the negative crowd reaction, saying that his playing style had been affected by some of O'Sullivan's fans.{{cite web |title=Shut your mouth: Mark Allen silences 'idiots' in crowd as he smashes Ronnie O'Sullivan in Dafabet Masters quarter-final |work=Belfast Telegraph |first=Gareth |last=Hanna |date=18 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/snooker/shut-your-mouth-mark-allen-silences-idiots-in-crowd-as-he-smashes-ronnie-osullivan-in-dafabet-masters-quarterfinal-36503617.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121233124/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/snooker/shut-your-mouth-mark-allen-silences-idiots-in-crowd-as-he-smashes-ronnie-osullivan-in-dafabet-masters-quarterfinal-36503617.html |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}

John Higgins defeated Ryan Day in the second quarter-final, with another 6–1 scoreline.{{Cite web |title=Masters 2018: John Higgins beats Ryan Day to reach semi-finals |work=BBC Sport |date=19 January 2018 |access-date=18 March 2019 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42754888 |url-status=live |archive-date=8 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308120010/http://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/42754888}} Higgins made a break of 83 in the opening frame, Day won frame 2, then Higgins took the next five frames with breaks of 61, 63, 65, 80 and 113 to win the match. Kyren Wilson defeated Mark Williams, again 6–1, in the third quarter-final match. Wilson took the first four frames, Williams won the fifth, then Wilson took frames 6 and 7 with two century breaks to win the match.{{cite web |title=Wales' Mark Williams out of 2018 Masters |work=ITV News |date=19 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2018-01-19/wales-mark-williams-out-of-2018-masters/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121233259/https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2018-01-19/wales-mark-williams-out-of-2018-masters/ |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Masters 2018: Kyren Wilson thrashes Mark Williams to move into the semi-finals |work=BBC Sport |date=18 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42738974 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131181320/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42738974 |archive-date=31 January 2019 |url-status=live}}

In the last of the quarter-finals, Judd Trump defeated Shaun Murphy 6–4.{{Cite web |title=Masters 2018: Judd Trump beats Shaun Murphy in quarter-finals |work=BBC Sport |date=19 January 2018 |access-date=18 March 2019 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42751555 |url-status=live |archive-date=24 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124123006/http://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/42751555}}{{cite web |title=Masters 2018: Scores, results, schedule |work=BBC Sport |date=20 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42374713 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121234108/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42374713 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}} Trump made four 50+ breaks in the first six frames and built up a lead of 4–2, before Murphy took the next two frames to tie the match 4–4. Trump then won the next two frames, with breaks of 111 and 113, to win the match. Play was briefly interrupted when a wasp landed on the table during the match. Afterwards, Murphy admitted that he had been concerned, saying he was "terrified of wasps, who isn't?"

The semi-finals took place on 20 January 2018, the penultimate day of the event. In the first semi-final, Kyren Wilson defeated Judd Trump 6–5 to reach his first Triple Crown final. Trump started the match with a lead of 3–1, and later 5–2, owing to breaks of 83, 96 and 69. Wilson took both of the next two frames, and then made a break of 107 in the tenth frame to tie 5–5, forcing a decider. Trump was the first of the two players to make progress in the final frame, but lost position after a break of 23, leaving Wilson in amongst the balls; Wilson then made an "outstanding" break of 72 to win the match.{{Cite web |last=Chowdhury |first=Saj |title=Masters 2018: Kyren Wilson edges Judd Trump 6–5 to reach first final |work=BBC Sport |access-date=18 March 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42761209 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308172729/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42761209 |archive-date=8 March 2018 |url-status=live}}

File:Mark Allen PHC 2016-1.jpg claimed the Masters title, winning his first Triple Crown event.]]

In the second semi-final, Mark Allen dispatched another former multiple World and Masters Champion, John Higgins, 6–3. After making breaks of 63 and 90, Allen took a 3–1 lead at the mid-session interval. Higgins created a break of 131 in the fifth frame (his 700th competitive century break), but Allen won the next two frames to lead 5–2. In frame 8, Higgins scored the second century of the match to trail 3–5, before Allen won the match in the ninth frame to reach his first Masters final. Post-match, Higgins admitted that his tactical play was "very poor".{{cite web |title=Masters 2018: Mark Allen 'excited' about opportunity to make final |work=BBC Sport |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42751689 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121233918/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42751689 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}

The final took place on 21 January 2018, over two sessions, in a best-of-19-frames match. This was the first time since 1995 that two first-time finalists had met in the Masters final; neither Mark Allen (8) nor Kyren Wilson (13) had ever previously reached the final of a Masters tournament. Allen defeated Wilson 10–7 to win the title. This was Allen's first major title in his fourteen years as a professional.{{cite web |title=Watch: My Northern Irish fans carried me to Masters snooker success, says Mark Allen |work=Belfast Telegraph |last=Hanna |first=Gareth |others=Video by Ben Tucker |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/snooker/watch-my-northern-irish-fans-carried-me-to-masters-snooker-success-says-mark-allen-36517501.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121233136/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/snooker/watch-my-northern-irish-fans-carried-me-to-masters-snooker-success-says-mark-allen-36517501.html |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Chowdhury |first=Saj |title=Masters 2018: Mark Allen beats John Higgins 6–3 to join Kyren Wilson in final |work=BBC Sport |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42763135 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131181309/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42763135 |archive-date=31 January 2019 |url-status=live}}

The two players ended the first session tied at 4–4, and shared the first two frames of the second session to tie the match again at 5–5. Allen made a break of 73 in the eleventh frame to lead 6–5; he then took a two-frame lead with a break of 119 in frame 12, and also won frame 13 to lead 8–5. Wilson won the next two frames to reduce his deficit to a single frame, at 7–8. Allen took frames 16 and 17, with breaks of 69 and 71 respectively, to win the tournament.

After the match, Wilson cried on receiving his runners-up medal.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jan/21/mark-allen-defeats-kyren-wilson-masters-final|title=Mark Allen defeats Kyren Wilson in tense Masters final|date=21 January 2018|work=Guardian|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123190735/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jan/21/mark-allen-defeats-kyren-wilson-masters-final|archive-date=23 January 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Chowdhury |first=Saj |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/42768571|title=Masters 2018: Mark Allen beats Kyren Wilson 10–7 in final to take title|date=21 January 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208132256/http://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/42768571|archive-date=8 February 2018|url-status=live}} He commented: "I just made things a bit too easy for Mark, you can't do that to a player of Mark's class, he's too good and he'll punish you. That's what he did tonight."{{cite web |title='It means so much' – Emotional Allen wins Masters title |work=RTE.ie |date=21 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2018/0121/934939-mark-allen-claims-masters-title-at-the-ally-pally/ |quote= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232646/https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2018/0121/934939-mark-allen-claims-masters-title-at-the-ally-pally/ |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}

The event received identical prize money to that of the previous year, with £200,000 for the winner, and £600,000 overall. The highest break prize of £10,000 was won by Liang Wenbo, for a break of 139.

The breakdown of prize money is shown below:{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/01/17/masters-snooker-prize-money-2018-final-previous-winners-7236495/|title=The Masters snooker prize money, when is the 2018 final and who are the previous winners|first=Phil|last=Haigh|date=17 January 2018|work=Metro|access-date=18 April 2019}}

• Winner: £200,000
• Runner-up: £90,000
• Semi-finals: £50,000
• Quarter-finals: £25,000
• Last 16: £12,500
• Highest break: £10,000
• Total: £600,000

{{16TeamBracket

| seed-width =

| team-width = 200

| score-width =

| RD1= Last 16
Best of 11 frames

| RD2= Quarter-finals
Best of 11 frames

| RD3= Semi-finals
Best of 11 frames

| RD4= Final
Best of 19 frames

| RD1-seed01=1

| RD1-team01={{flagathlete|Ronnie O'Sullivan|ENG}}

| RD1-score01=6

| RD1-seed02=9

| RD1-team02={{flagathlete|Marco Fu|HKG}}

| RD1-score02=0

| RD1-seed03=8

| RD1-team03={{flagathlete|Mark Allen|NIR}}

| RD1-score03=6

| RD1-seed04=11

| RD1-team04={{flagathlete|Luca Brecel|BEL}}

| RD1-score04=3

| RD1-seed05=5

| RD1-team05={{flagathlete|John Higgins|SCO}}

| RD1-score05=6

| RD1-seed06=14

| RD1-team06={{flagathlete|Anthony McGill|SCO}}

| RD1-score06=4

| RD1-seed07=4

| RD1-team07={{flagathlete|Ding Junhui|CHN}}

| RD1-score07=4

| RD1-seed08=15

| RD1-team08={{flagathlete|Ryan Day|WAL}}

| RD1-score08=6

| RD1-seed09=3

| RD1-team09={{flagathlete|Judd Trump|ENG}}

| RD1-score09=6

| RD1-seed10=16

| RD1-team10={{flagathlete|Liang Wenbo|CHN}}

| RD1-score10=4

| RD1-seed11=6

| RD1-team11={{flagathlete|Shaun Murphy|ENG}}

| RD1-score11=6

| RD1-seed12=12

| RD1-team12={{flagathlete|Ali Carter|ENG}}

| RD1-score12=4

| RD1-seed13=7

| RD1-team13={{flagathlete|Barry Hawkins|ENG}}

| RD1-score13=4

| RD1-seed14=13

| RD1-team14={{flagathlete|Kyren Wilson|ENG}}

| RD1-score14=6

| RD1-seed15=2

| RD1-team15={{flagathlete|Mark Selby|ENG}}

| RD1-score15=5

| RD1-seed16=10

| RD1-team16={{flagathlete|Mark Williams|WAL}}

| RD1-score16=6

| RD2-seed01=1

| RD2-team01={{flagicon|ENG}} Ronnie O'Sullivan

| RD2-score01=1

| RD2-seed02=8

| RD2-team02={{flagicon|NIR}} Mark Allen

| RD2-score02=6

| RD2-seed03=5

| RD2-team03={{flagicon|SCO}} John Higgins

| RD2-score03=6

| RD2-seed04=15

| RD2-team04={{flagicon|WAL}} Ryan Day

| RD2-score04=1

| RD2-seed05=3

| RD2-team05={{flagicon|ENG}} Judd Trump

| RD2-score05=6

| RD2-seed06=6

| RD2-team06={{flagicon|ENG}} Shaun Murphy

| RD2-score06=4

| RD2-seed07=13

| RD2-team07={{flagicon|ENG}} Kyren Wilson

| RD2-score07=6

| RD2-seed08=10

| RD2-team08={{flagicon|WAL}} Mark Williams

| RD2-score08=1

| RD3-seed01=8

| RD3-team01={{flagicon|NIR}} Mark Allen

| RD3-score01=6

| RD3-seed02=5

| RD3-team02={{flagicon|SCO}} John Higgins

| RD3-score02=3

| RD3-seed03=3

| RD3-team03={{flagicon|ENG}} Judd Trump

| RD3-score03=5

| RD3-seed04=13

| RD3-team04={{flagicon|ENG}} Kyren Wilson

| RD3-score04=6

| RD4-seed01=8

| RD4-team01={{flagicon|NIR}} Mark Allen

| RD4-score01=10

| RD4-seed02=13

| RD4-team02={{flagicon|ENG}} Kyren Wilson

| RD4-score02=7

}}

The event saw a total of 28 century breaks throughout the tournament, with Liang Wenbo completing the highest tournament break of 139.{{Cite news |url=http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/Centuries/CenturyBreaks/13998/dafabet-masters-2018 |title=Dafabet Masters 2018 – Centuries |date=14–21 January 2018 |work=World Snooker |access-date=28 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127005014/http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/Centuries/CenturyBreaks/13998/dafabet-masters-2018 |archive-date=27 January 2018 |url-status=dead}}

{{div col }}

• 139, 116 {{ndash}} Liang Wenbo
• 135, 120, 119, 115 {{ndash}} Mark Allen
• 135 {{ndash}} Mark Williams
• 131, 127, 113 {{ndash}} John Higgins
• 131, 120 {{ndash}} Barry Hawkins
• 125, 115, 105 {{ndash}} Ryan Day
• 122 {{ndash}} Anthony McGill
• 121, 120, 112 {{ndash}} Ronnie O'Sullivan
• 119 {{ndash}} Shaun Murphy
• 113, 111 {{ndash}} Judd Trump
• 111, 100 {{ndash}} Ding Junhui
• 110 {{ndash}} Ali Carter
• 109, 107, 106 {{ndash}} Kyren Wilson

{{div col end}}

The tournament was broadcast live in the United Kingdom by BBC Sport, as well as on Eurosport in Europe.{{cite web |title=Live, 2018, Masters Snooker – BBC Sport |work=BBC |access-date=22 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05td37f |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122002017/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05td37f |archive-date=22 January 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Masters snooker 2018: Draw, schedule, results, betting odds & BBC TV coverage |work=sportinglife.com |date=17 April 2018 |access-date=22 January 2019 |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/masters-snooker-2018/134198 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118165340/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/masters-snooker-2018/134198 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |url-status=live}} Worldwide, the event was covered by China Central Television and Superstars Online in China, and Sky Sports in New Zealand.{{cite web |title=Tournament Broadcasters 2018–19 – World Snooker |work=World Snooker |date=25 September 2018 |access-date=21 January 2019 |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournaments-broadcasters-2018-19/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110085030/http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournaments-broadcasters-2018-19/ |archive-date=10 January 2019 |url-status=dead}} NowTV presented the event in Hong Kong with additional commentary.

The Masters was followed by the 2018 German Masters, which was won by Mark Williams. Masters winner Mark Allen was defeated in the first round, losing 4–5 to Matthew Selt.{{cite web |title=D88 German Masters |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournaments/german-masters-2016/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204225926/http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournaments/german-masters-2016/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 February 2018 |work=World Snooker |access-date=4 February 2018}} At the following year's event, the 2019 Masters, both finalists would lose in the first round: Mark Allen 5–6 to Luca Brecel, and Kyren Wilson 2–6 to Judd Trump.{{Cite news |last=Haigh |first=Phil |url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/13/defending-champion-mark-allen-beaten-masters-first-round-luca-brecel-8339958/ |title=Defending champion Mark Allen beaten in Masters first round by Luca Brecel |newspaper=Metro UK |date=13 January 2019 |access-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114153359/https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/13/defending-champion-mark-allen-beaten-masters-first-round-luca-brecel-8339958/ |archive-date=14 January 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Trump Downs Wilson At The Palace |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/trump-downs-wilson-at-the-palace/ |date=16 January 2019 |website=World Snooker |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117013418/http://www.worldsnooker.com/trump-downs-wilson-at-the-palace/ |archive-date=17 January 2019 |url-status=dead}}

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{{Masters (snooker)}}

{{Snooker season 2017/2018}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Masters (snooker)}}

2018

Category:2018 in sport in London

Category:2018 in snooker

Category:January 2018 sports events in the United Kingdom

Masters 2018