The first ranking event of 2018 starts today as Berlin takes centre stage of the World Snooker tour for the German Masters.

The well established event returns for another year and despite its shortness in duration compared to other big ranking events – it is a tournament that is respected and enjoyed by many from those in the game.

With packed crowds visiting the stunning Tempodrom Arena between now and Sunday, the 2018 German Masters looks set to be another exciting competition with certainly a lot to play for as players head towards the main climax period of the season.

At this point of the campaign competitions come thick and fast and success in Germany this week will be the aim for everyone of the 32 players competing as they look to start off a busy period with valuable prize money in the bag.

The past two years have seen surprise names lift the title with Martin Gould and Anthony Hamilton recording memorable wins in the German capital.

Since its introduction in 2011, no player has won the German Masters on at least two occasions – will that sequence come to an end by Sunday night?

What is interesting heading into the German Masters is that several of the world’s top stars are out of form. Can the likes of Ding Junhui, Mark Selby, Judd Trump, Barry Hawkins and Shaun Murphy rediscover that winning feeling this week?

Or will Masters winner Mark Allen add to his good form by putting another trophy to his name? It’s all set for a great few days of action.

Here’s the draw:

Anthony Hamilton vs Jimmy Robertson

Gary Wilson vs Martin Gould

Fergal O’Brien vs Mark Williams

Matthew Selt vs Mark Allen

Ding Junhui vs Michael Georgiou

Jack Lisowski vs Ricky Walden

Joe Perry vs Yu Delu

Ben Woollaston vs Judd Trump

Niu Zhuang vs Mark Davis

Ryan Day vs Thepchaiya Un-Nooh

David Gilbert vs Mark Joyce

Alan McManus vs Shaun Murphy

Barry Hawkins vs Graeme Dott

Hammad Miah vs Mei Xi Wen

Tom Ford vs Liang Wenbo

Xiao Guodong vs Mark Selby