Ronnie O'Sullivan discovers opening opponent at German Masters snooker as Ken Doherty and Luca Brecel enjoy victories in qualifying
By Desmond Kane
Published 08/01/2026 at 11:36 GMT
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Ken Doherty and Luca Brecel moved to within one win off a spot at the German Masters in Berlin later this month after the former world champions enjoyed qualifying wins in Sheffield. Elsewhere on Wednesday, Si Jiahui warmed up for his trip to the Masters next week by winning Group 3 at the Championship League. The German Masters is live on TNT Sports and discovery+ between January 26-1 February.
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Ken Doherty produced his second comeback in successive days to move within one win of booking his trip to the German Masters in Berlin later this month.
A day after hitting back from 4-2 behind to sink world No. 69 Wang Yuchen 5-4 at Ponds Forge in Sheffield, the 1997 world champion produced a similar trick to overcome Lyu Haotian by the same scoreline.
Despite rolling in 72 in the second frame, it was world No. 51 Lyu who established a 4-2 advantage before his opponent fired 66 and 82 on his way to booking his spot in the last 64.
The Irishman will face 2015 world champion Stuart Bingham on Thursday afternoon at 14:30 UK, live on discovery+, for a spot in the last 32 at the Tempodrom.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, 2023 Crucible winner Luca Brecel picked up his first win of 2026 with a 5-2 win over Liam Davies, boosted by knocks of 56, 88, 60 and 55.
Brecel faces David Gilbert on Thursday in the last 64, chasing a trip to the final stage in the German capital.
Three-time ranking event winner Marco Fu claimed the final two frames in a 5-4 win over Martin O'Donnell to set up a last-64 meeting with Jak Jones at 10:00 on Thursday.
Scottish Open finalist Chang Bingyu, who lost 9-2 to Chris Wakelin in the title match in Edinburgh last month, edged out Stan Moody 5-3 in a high-quality scoring contest between two of the game's brightest prospects.
Moody produced breaks of 101, 76 and 110, but it was his opponent who progressed with efforts of 78, 105, 76 and 124 seeing him hit back from 2-1 behind to secure a last-64 meeting with Neil Robertson in Berlin.
Ronnie O'Sullivan, the 2012 winner, is set to make an appearance at the German Masters for the first time since 2017.
And the seven-time world champion will open his campaign against Long Zehuang, who edged out Zhao Hanyang 5-4 in the second qualifying round.
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Meanwhile, Si Jiahui warmed up for his trip to the Masters in London next week by winning Group 3 at the Championship League at Leicester's Mattioli Arena.
The world No. 16 had trailed Joe O'Connor 2-0 but completed a 3-2 win with breaks of 65 and 97 to secure a spot in the final winners' group next month at the invitational event.
He joins Tom Ford and Elliott Slessor in securing his place in the final seven-man section.
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Group 4 will be contested on Thursday and Friday with Kyren Wilson, Neil Robertson, Zhao Xintong, Gary Wilson, Ben Woollaston and Matthew Selt involved in a heavyweight group.
Former Crucible semi-finalist Si faces Kyren Wilson in his tournament opener at the Masters at Alexandra Palace on Tuesday afternoon.
The 52nd staging of the sport's greatest invitational event begins on Sunday, January 11 and is live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Masters, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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