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NEIL ROBERTSON states that his phone has been inundated with calls since he drew Ronnie O’Sullivan at The Masters.
The Australian cueist will face The Rocket in a first-round showdown featuring players who collectively hold eight world titles.
Neil Robertson has two Masters titles to his nameCredit: Getty
The Rocket faces a challenging first-round draw at Alexandra Palace
Seven of those titles belong to O’Sullivan, who continues to be the main attraction in snooker.
Consequently, it’s no wonder that Robertson’s friends have been eager to secure tickets for a match-up that could easily fit into the latter stages of any major tournament.
The Aussie tweeted on X : “Strange. After the draw, my phone exploded with requests for tickets.”
Robertson also included a few laughing emojis, a rocket emoji, and a storm cloud emoji for added effect.
O’Sullivan found himself facing a tough draw after dropping out of the top-eight seeded positions due to his recent performance.
Fifth seed Robertson, a world champion in 2010, has previously won The Masters twice, while O’Sullivan boasts eight victories.
Snooker enthusiasts are already eagerly counting down the days until their encounter at Alexandra Palace, with the tournament set to take place from January 11 to January 18.
O’Sullivan had a difficult time at the UK Championship, where he was defeated by Zhou Yuelong in his opening match.
In contrast, Robertson performed better during his journey to the semi-finals, where he lost 6-3 to Judd Trump. However, he did attract some attention prior to that match.
Shortly after his native Australia took a 2-0 series lead over England in The Ashes, Robertson made a batting gesture with his cue case, which drew boos from the audience.
Shaun Murphy enters as the defending Masters championCredit: Alamy
Robertson remarked to the amused referee Ben Williams: “I almost didn’t do it.”
Other notable Masters match-ups include defending champion Shaun Murphy against Wu Yize, UK Championship winner Selby facing Xiao Guodong, and three-time world champion Mark Williams competing against Mark Allen.
Masters 2026 Draw
Here are the first-round matches at the 2026 Masters...
Shaun Murphy vs Wu Yize
Mark Selby vs Xiao Guodong
Neil Robertson vs Ronnie O’Sullivan
Kyren Wilson vs Si Jiahui
Judd Trump vs Ding Junhui
Mark Williams vs Mark Allen
John Higgins vs Barry Hawkins
Zhao Xintong vs Gary Wilson
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the date of the Masters 2026 tournament?
The Masters 2026 tournament is scheduled to take place from January 11 to January 18, 2026.
Who are the defending champions of The Masters?
Shaun Murphy is the defending champion of The Masters, having won the title in 2025.
How many times has Ronnie O'Sullivan won The Masters?
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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