The first day of the 2024 Shanghai Masters concluded at nearly midnight local time and here is the WST report on the day 1 of the tournament:

SHANGHAI MASTERS DAY ONE: CAPTAIN OFF TO A FLYER

Ali Carter continued his red hot start to the season, with a 6-0 demolition of Chinese wildcard Lei Qiu at the Shanghai Masters. 

The Captain got his campaign underway in the best fashion possible by claiming the sixth ranking crown of his career at the season opening BetVictor Championship League, where he beat Jackson Page 3-1 in the final. That came off the back of a fine 23/24 season, which saw him make finals at the Wuhan Open and the Masters.

Carter crafted breaks of 63, 76 and 51 during this morning’s win. The result sets up a mouth-watering last 16 clash with home hero Ding Junhui. 

Carter said: “It is very difficult to win tournaments. I’m up to six ranking events in my tally and four Triple Crown finals. Whatever happens from now on in, I’ve had a good career. If I win another tournament, then great, if I don’t then fine. If I keep being consistent then I will be knocking on the door.”

Chinese 16-year-old Zhou Jinhao scored a stunning 6-3 win over compatriot and International Champion Zhang Anda. The amateur stormed to a shock 5-1 lead, before Zhang pegged him back to 5-3. The ninth frame came down to a safety exchange on the final black, but it was Zhou who fortuitously prevailed after a fluking the black from a missed double. He now faces seven-time World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan. 

CARTER REFLECTS ON OPENING WIN

Welshman Mark Williams was made to work hard to score a 6-3 win over Chinese wildcard Wang Xinbo. The three-time World Champion had raced to a 3-0 lead, but Wang edged his way back to 5-3 behind. In the end Williams took the ninth to get over the line and book a second round clash with Judd Trump. 

Former World Championship semi-finalist Si Jiahui emerged as a 6-3 victor over world number 13 Tom Ford. He now faces Belgium’s Luca Brecel. Zhou Yuelong was a 6-4 victor in a tight encounter with Barry Hawkins, that sets up a second round meeting with World Champion Kyren Wilson.

John Higgins put on a superb display to thrash Lyu Haotian 6-1 and set up a second round clash with Shaun Murphy. The Wizard of Wishaw fired in breaks of 126, 73, 135, 58 and 92 on his way to the comprehensive win. That leaves him just two shy of 1000 career centuries, on 998. 

Missing from this report is the last match to finish, a 6-4 win for Zhou Yuelong over Barry Hawkins. This was a hard fought and high quality match, although, for some reason maybe not the most enthralling match to watch. Barry won the first frame, then Zhou ran to a 4-1 lead aided by breaks of 116, 126 and 133. During those for frames Barry scored just one point. Then the momentum shifted and Barry came back all square at 4-4. In frame 7, Barry had a break of 141, the highest of the match. The last two frames were close in scores but Zhou won them both with breaks of 54 and 57.

Zhou Jinhao’s win over Zhang Anda was a surprise to most I suppose but probably not to Bai Yulu, Indeed when WST interviewed her for her “Q&A” feature, she was asked who were currently the best juniors in China and Zhou Jinhao was one of the three players she named. Zhou Jinhao will be Ronnie’s opponent tomorrow…

As always, all results, scores and breaks can be found on snooker.org