Neil Robertson handed European Masters snooker boost after Liu Hongyu and Graeme Dott withdraw from ranking event

ByEurosport

Updated 21/08/2023 at 13:18 GMT

The European Masters draw has opened up for 2020 winner Neil Robertson before he plays his first match of the tournament on Tuesday in the German city of Nuremberg. The Australian will face Wu Yize knowing a victory will see him advance to the last 32 after his next opponent Liu Hongyu failed to obtain a visa to travel. 2006 world champion Graeme Dott has also pulled out due to personal reasons.

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Graeme Dott and Liu Hongyu have withdrawn from the European Masters a day before the second ranking event of the season breaks off in Nuremberg on Tuesday (live on Eurosport and discovery+ 22-27 August).

Dott, world champion in 2006, was scheduled to face 2005 Crucible winner Shaun Murphy in his tournament opener at the KIA Metropol Arena but has pulled out due to personal reasons, while 19-year-old tour rookie Liu failed to obtain a visa ahead of his meeting with Neil Robertson.

The withdrawal means 2020 European Masters champion Robertson will receive a bye to the last 32 if he overcomes Liu's compatriot Wu Yize in the first round.

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Liu had booked his trip to Germany with a 5-1 win over Hammad Miah in Leicester last month.

Dott has been replaced in the draw by Steven Hallworth – the highest-ranked player from the Q School list – who will meet Murphy on Tuesday evening.

The winner of that match will progress to a last-64 clash with Daniel Wells on Wednesday.

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Matches involving the top eight seeds have been held over to the finals venue as Kyren Wilson defends the title he claimed with a 9-3 win over Barry Hawkins last year.

Luca Brecel will meet Welsh professional Jackson Page in his first match as world champion at the European Masters.

World No. 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan is also in the draw in his first competitive action since losing 13-10 to Brecel in the Crucible quarter-finals in April.

He has been handed a potentially tricky opening test against Andy Hicks, the 1995 Word Championship semi-finalist.