We look at the televised matches on day one of the German Masters, which starts on Wednesday…
ALI CARTER v DECHAWAT POOMJAENG (9am GMT)
Live on British Eurosport and Eurosport International
Carter won his third ranking title at the Tempodrom last year with a typically gutsy, tenacious performance. He was particularly impressive when it really mattered, in the concluding session of the final against Marco Fu.
Carter has since had health problems, not only the continuing complications of Crohn’s disease but a diagnosis of testicular cancer. He is in remission but the condition took a psychological as well as physical toll and cost him his top 16 place. Carter, though, is tough. He’s had to be. And being back in Berlin may well serve as a kick-start to his season.
Poomjaeng is one of snooker’s eccentrics. He drew a cult following for his exploits at the Crucible, and some head-shaking too, but this should not mask the fact that he is a dangerous opponent – in qualifying for Berlin he made a 147.
Whether he can cause an upset on television against a motivated Carter is another matter. The Essex boy is a justified favourite.
MARK SELBY v JIMMY ROBERTSON (2pm GMT)
Live on British Eurosport and Eurosport International
Selby became seriously tired at the Tempodrom last season and had nothing left to give against Barry Hawkins in his second match of the day, which came in the wake of winning the UK Championship, a European Tour title and the Masters.
He’ll be a little fresher this year and both he and Robertson will remember their meeting at the 2011 World Championship, where Selby won 10-1 in a scoreline which accurately represented the match.
Then again, this isn’t the Crucible with its history and unique pressures. Lost in the crowd of tables, Robertson may feel he has a better chance to spring a surprise. A career record of played Selby five times, lost to him five times suggests this will still be an uphill struggle for the Bexhill man.
NEIL ROBERTSON v LIU CHUANG (7pm GMT)
Live on British Eurosport2
Robertson remains a scoring machine with a mammoth tally of 77 centuries this season – 38 more than the player second on this list. Consistent and determined, there is no reason to assume he cannot maintain this form throughout the rest of the season.
Robertson possesses iron focus on the table and a laidback, chilled out demeanour when he’s not playing. The fact that he is not intense when not playing allows him to put all his mental faculties into tournament play, a key factor in his ongoing success.
Liu is part of a group of Chinese players capable of getting results but not yet in the class of the world’s best. With TV cameras added to the mix, it’s hard to make the case for anything other than a Robertson victory.
Photographs by Monique Limbos.