Euro-Asia Masters Challenge Explained

Tournament Name:Euro-Asia Masters Challenge
Venue:Various
Establishment:2003
Format:Non-ranking event
Final Year:2007
Final Champion: John Higgins

The Euro-Asia Masters Challenge was an invitational professional non-ranking snooker tournament which ran for three editions.

History

In August 2003, the tournament was first held as a two-legged event. Featuring eight players across the two legs, the first leg was played in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, with James Wattana defeating Ken Doherty in the final to win the £30,000 prize. Wattana defeated Stephen Hendry in 5–1 in the semi-final, with Doherty defeating Mark Williams by the same scoreline in the second semi-final.[1]

In the second leg played in Bangkok, Thailand, Doherty was victorious defeating Marco Fu in the final. Doherty defeated Ding Junhui 5–4 in his semi-final, while Fu had defeated Jimmy White 5–3 in the other semi.

The tournament was revived in 2007, with the addition of a team tournament. In the singles event John Higgins defeating James Wattana in the final in Hong Kong to take the £25,000 prize.[2] [3] [4]

Winners

YearWinnerRunner-upFinal scoreVenueSeason
2003 – Event 1 James Wattana Ken Doherty6–4 Wan Chai2003/04
2003 – Event 2 Ken Doherty Marco Fu5–2 Bangkok
2007 John Higgins James Wattana5–4 Wan Chai2007/08

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hayton, Eric. Cuesport Book of Professional Snooker. 184.
  2. Web site: Euro-Asia Snooker Masters Challenge. https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155703/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/misc4.html#Euro_Asia. dead. 16 February 2012. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. 14 November 2017.
  3. Web site: Higgins pots Euro-Asia title. Daily Express. 15 July 2007.
  4. Web site: Higgins weathers the "Thai-Phoon". Glasgow Times. 16 July 2007.