On February 22, 2022, Beijing time, the first day of the Snooker European Masters ended, and in four postponed qualifying matches, four championship favourites O'Sullivan, Trump, Selby and Neil Robertson successfully advanced. O'Sullivan conceded just one set to knock out Bond 5-1, and Trump picked up form to sweep Michael Judge 5-0. Defending champion Selby suffered a stubborn resistance but still passed 5-3.
On the first match day, four world champions played in the postponement qualifier, Neil Robertson's opponent was Ray Peifan, Neil Robertson played a single 130 points as soon as he came up, he always controlled the situation, and then played a three-shot 50+, showing strong offensive strength, beating Ray Peifan 5-2 to advance to the main game.
Defending champion Mark Selby faced Matthew Selter, after a period of adjustment, Selby's mental state has improved significantly, in the case of the opponent to play a single shot of 113 points, Selby maintained his rhythm, successively played a single 70 points, 79 points, 69 points, 128 points, 58 points, 5-3 elimination of Matthew Selter, advanced to the round of 64.
In contrast, O'Sullivan and Trump won more easily. O'Sullivan played against veteran Bond, who scored a single shot of 82, 132 and 50 points to win easily 5-1. Bond is 56 years old, his career is coming to an end, and this spirit of perseverance and hard work is touching. Facing O'Sullivan, who is still at his peak, Bond was able to win the next set, which was not easy.
In addition, Trump's form has also improved significantly, facing Michael Judge, Trump played a single shot of 66 points, 93 points, 53 points, 129 points, 5-0 to win the opponent, advance to the next round.
The four title favourites all won in the postponement qualifiers, followed by defending champion Selby against the powerful Jordan Brown, Neil Robertson against Alfie Boden, O'Sullivan against Anda Zhang and Trump against Jack Jones. Compared with the qualifying opponents, the next opponents are stronger, and these world champions should not be taken lightly!