The 2022 Snooker European Masters finally kicked off under the expectations of all, and it is a pity that Chinese players Ding Junhui and Zhao Xintong failed to participate due to personal reasons and qualifying losses, but this did not affect other players to strive for the championship.
In the opening match, Chinese players Yan Bingtao, Zhou Yuelong, Xiao Guodong and Fan Zhengyi performed well and defeated their opponents to advance to success, while the duels of top stars such as O'Sullivan, Selby, Trump, robertson and so on were also wonderful.
Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Old Bond
The match between the two sides has received a lot of attention before it began, because the two veterans who add up to more than 100 years have not played each other for 24 years, and the last time the two played each other was back in 1998, which can be described as a cross-century duel.
Although the game was extremely interesting, the result was obvious, the old Bond had no way to fight back in the face of O'Sullivan's fiery state, and O'Sullivan easily blasted over 100 to win the opponent 5:1 after 24 years.
O'Sullivan said after the game: "I'm very happy to be able to play Against Bond again, I've been in good shape lately, it's nice to be able to focus on what I love, I'm enjoying every moment on the field now, it's a way of life that I really like.
Mark Selby vs Matthew Selter
The state of Selby in this game has become the focus of fans' attention, to know that this season Selby's state decline is serious and self-detonating mental illness, but the result of the game is not bad, Selby beat Selter 5:3 thrilling to win his first victory after illness.
In an interview after the game, Searle said: "Now that I treat snooker differently, I will put my body first, of course I will still give my all in the game but winning or losing is no longer important. Now I just want to get myself up as soon as possible so that life can get back on track.
It has to be said that the impact of this illness on Selby is huge, which is also the main reason why his performance this season is deeply mired, Selby said that he is currently online treatment with doctors every day, trying to find his original self.
Neil Robertson, who has already won three titles this season, continues his strong performance, blasting a large number of over 100 against China's Lei Peifan to win 5:2, and there is no doubt that Robertson is on the verge of a fourth crown of the season.
Judd Trump, who has been questioned recently, also made his official appearance on the first matchday, facing the not-so-strong veteran Michael Gage, Trump settled the battle 5:0 in just fifty minutes to easily advance to the next round.
In terms of other players, Brechel narrowly beat Gary Wilson 5:3, Dort staged a big comeback to beat Mark Davis, Karen Wilson beat Jimmy Jones over a hundred to easily advance, and Lisovsky was upset and lost to Hugh Gill.