Snooker legend Steve Davis has criticised the table conditions at the Masters, claiming the slate is not level. The six-time world champion voiced his concerns during BBC commentary after reigning champion Shaun Murphy was knocked out by China's Wu Yize at Alexandra Palace.
Davis pointed to a shot in the first frame where a red ball hugged the top cushion before dropping into the pocket, suggesting the table was playing too easily. Commentator Stephen Hendry noted the ball stayed remarkably close to the rail, implying the pockets were not tight enough.
“It was concerning what happened at the top of the table with that red going in. The table fitters need to look at that because that is wrong,” Davis said. He later added: “The table is not effectively level at the top. It's going to hug the top rail.”
Davis also warned that the condition makes it easier to compile big breaks. “If those balls are hugging that top rail, then it's going to make the game incredibly easy to make big breaks. It's also wrong that a ball should go in that easily,” he said.
Wu Yize defeated world No. 7 Murphy 6-2, while Mark Selby also lost to Xiao Guodong in the evening session. Current world champion Zhao Xintong begins his campaign on Monday against Gary Wilson.
