ENGLAND'S Darren Appleton enjoyed the finest moment in his career in 2008 when he became the first ever World 10-Ball Champion by winning the inaugural tournament in the Philippines.
He will be making his World Pool Masters debut in Las Vegas and will eager to impress after being overlooked for the European Mosconi Cup team in December 2008.
Ruslan Chinakhov is the youngest player in the 2009 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters line-up. The 17-year-old is a former European Champion and looks to have a big future in the sport.
Ex-snooker star Tony Drago is regarded as one of the fastest pool players in the world. When he is on his game, few players can live with him. He has been in the last two victorious Mosconi Cup European teams.
Tyler Edey was a late entrant into the 2009 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters after the withdrawal of Alain Martel. Tyler is the current Canadian number two and he reached the last 16 at the 2008 World 10-Ball Championships.
Niels Feijen has long been regarded as one of the finest pool players in Europe. He has been a crucial part of the European Mosconi Cup side that triumphed in 2007 and 2008 and is a former European number one.
Fu Jian-bo made his name in the 2007 World Cup of Pool when he and team-mate Li He-wen stunned the pool world to lift the trophy, defeating the Finnish pairing of Markus Juva and Mika Immonen 11-10 in a thrilling final. Fu will be making his Masters debut this year in Las Vegas.
A run to the last 16 of the 2005 World Pool Championships saw Raj given a spot in the 2005 World Pool Masters. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he recovered from 7-1 down to win a memorable final against American Rodney Morris. Raj is back in the Masters and hungry for more success.
Mika Immonen enjoyed a fantastic 2008 as he won a string of major tournaments including the US Open and the All Japan Championships. His performances saw him return to the European Mosconi Cup side, where he was the Most Valuable Player. Immonen will be aiming for Masters glory after losing in last year's final.
Imran Majid is currently ranked number one on the British GB9 Tour and has also enjoyed success on the Euro Tour, winning in Italy in 2006 and Holland in 2007. He was part of the European Mosconi Cup side in 2006 in Rotterdam, Holland.
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