Two invitational event winners go head-to-head in Berlin this afternoon as Shaun Murphy faces Barry Hawkins in round one of the 2012 German Masters.

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Both have enjoyed success on the tour this season and are likely to provide a highly entertaining encounter today.

World number 23 Hawkins will be full of confidence going into this event after winning the biggest title of his career at the weekend - the Snooker Shootout.

The Dartford cueist saw off quality opposition in a field of 64 players to win the unique £32,000 title and is likely to give Masters finalist Murphy a stern test in the latest ranking event today.

Former World Champion Murphy has recaptured his best form this season; he became the first winner of the Brazil Masters invitational in 2011 and followed it up with a superb run to the Masters final last month.

His silky-smooth cue action makes him a formidable break-building opponent and he cannot be discarded as a title contender for most events.

The duo last met in a PTC event in 2010, with The Magician thrashing Hawkins 4-0 on that occasion. Their latest meeting comes over a similar format today but promises to be a lot tighter.

The bookmakers make Murphy the clear 4/11 favourite, with a Hawkins upset priced at 2/1 with Bet365. 

The match begins at 1pm and will be streamed live over the best of nine frames from the Tempodrom, Berlin.