Worldsnooker has today published the draw and format for the Shanghai Masters 2018
The draw and format for the 2018 Shanghai Masters is now available.
Click here for the provisional format
The event runs from September 10-16 at the Regal East Asia Hotel and tickets are now on sale – fans can buy them by using these links:
Juss Tickets
Damai Tickets
It’s fair to say that Ronnie is probably facing a very difficult first match, with Neil Robertson likely to beat the wildcard. It’s probably the hardest opponent he could have got, considering that the top 8 are seeded… just as well that he’s the defending champion.
If he defends this title, having not played competitively this season, it will be some feat.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 
WS somehow fixes the draws I’m afraid.
Sure seems that way sometimes. For one thing, Ronnie’s almost always in the same side of the draw as John Higgins.
In order to successfully defend his Shanghai title, there’s a decent chance that Ronnie would have to defeat 4 world champions (Robertson, Murphy, Higgins, and Selby/Williams).