2020 is here and as is tradition the year starts with one of snooker’s most prestigious tournaments – The Masters.

The world’s elite stars minus Ronnie O’Sullivan – who has withdrawn – will battle it out at London’s Alexandra Palace for the eight-day tournament starting on Sunday, January 12.

The draw for the first round was made during the final of the UK Championship in December 2019.

Judd Trump is the reigning Masters champion after beating O’Sullivan 10-4 twelve months ago.

Fascinating matches see defending Masters champion Trump face Shaun Murphy and world number four Mark Selby takes on Ali Carter who was invited following O’Sullivan’s withdrawal of the event.

Recent UK Championship winner Ding Junhui will kick off the tournament on Sunday January 12 against world number 16 Joe Perry.

The invitational, featuring the world’s top 16 stars, event enters its 46th year with the winner taking home the prestigious triangular trophy and a cheque for £250,000 – one of the biggest cash prizes the sport has to offer.

Below is the draw for the first round. The date and time of the match is in brackets.

Judd TRUMP vs Shaun MURPHY (Tuesday January 14 – 1pm)

Ding JUNHUI vs Joe PERRY (Sunday January 12 – 1pm)

Mark SELBY vs Ali CARTER (Sunday January 12 – 7pm)

John HIGGINS vs Barry HAWKINS (Tuesday January 14 – 7pm)

Neil ROBERTSON vs Stephen MAGUIRE (Monday, January 13 – 1pm)

Mark ALLEN vs David GILBERT (Monday January 13 – 7pm)

Kyren WILSON vs Jack LISOWSKI (Wednesday January 15 – 1pm)

Mark WILLIAMS vs Stuart BINGHAM (Wednesday January 15 – 7pm)

Latter tournament dates

Quarter Final 1 – TRUMP/MURPHY vs DING/PERRY (Thursday January 16 – 1pm)

Quarter Final 2  – SELBY/CARTER vs HIGGINS/HAWKINS (Thursday January 16 – 7pm)

Quarter Final 3 – ROBERTSON/MAGUIRE vs ALLEN/GILBERT (Friday January 17 – 1pm)

Quarter Final 4 – WILSON/LISOWSKI vs WILLIAMS/BINGHAM (Friday January 17 – 7pm)

Semi Final 1 (Saturday, January 18 – 1pm)

Semi Final 2 (Saturday January 18 — 7pm)

The Final  (Sunday January 19)