Hot on the heels of Shaun Murphy’s victory over in Bruges, the draw for event three is now out and is arguably the best yet…
To view the draw please click here.
The pick of the bunch from the opening round is for me the tie between Ali Carter and Matthew Stevens, two players who have both enjoyed a strong start to the season, particularly Ali of course having won in Shanghai. The next match in the draw meanwhile seems Ding Junhui take on Mark Allen as the man from Northern Ireland tries to get his nightmare season off the ground with a good run in Germany.
Other highlights? Stephen Hendry against Barry Hawkins could be a cracker while Alfie Burden will fancy his chances against the out of form Ryan Day as he bids to consolidate his place among the top 64.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has been handed a reasonably kind start near the top of the draw but it remains to be seen whether he will turn up to an overseas event for the first time this season…