The 2022 European Masters started yesterday.

There was just one “upset” at the tables: Stuart Bingham lost by 5-3 fo Fraser Patrick, and from 3-1 up aswell.

Here is WST report:

Lisowski Earns Fürth Berth

Jack Lisowski secured his place in the final stages of the BetVictor European Masters with a 5-2 defeat of Germany’s Simon Lichtenberg at qualifying in Cannock.

Gloucestershire cueman Lisowski top scored with a break of 138 in today’s encounter. The 30-year-old is a six-time ranking event finalist, but is still searching for maiden silverware. Lisowski will be seeking to rectify that when he travels to Fürth in Germany for the final stages in February.

Scotland’s world number 115 Fraser Patrick stunned 2015 World Champion Stuart Bingham to win 5-3. It’s Patrick’s second win on the circuit since regaining his professional status at Q School earlier this year. He has also qualified for next week’s BetVictor English Open.

Patrick had trailed 3-1 this evening, but claimed the last four frames to seal a trip to Germany. He made breaks of 55 and 80 en route to victory.

Former Crucible semi-finalist Andy Hicks edged a back and forth clash with Craig Steadman 5-4 to qualify. The Devon cueman crafted contributions of 56, 73 and 83 on his way to the win.

World number 17 Zhou Yuelong beat six-time Crucible finalist Jimmy White 5-2 and Louis Heathcote defeated 12-time women’s World Champion Reanne Evans 5-2.

Norwegian number one Kurt Maflin fired in a 141 break on his way to a 5-2 win over Allan Taylor, while Mark Davis beat Robert Milkins 5-3.

Qualifying continues on Thursday in Cannock.

There were more “upsets” off the tables.

Indeed Mark Williams had to withdraw both from this event and from the coming English Open. Mark is “tucked in bed” – his word – with covid-19.

Going by his last tweed, he’s not well at all.

I honestly hope that Mark will recover rapidly and completely. Get well soon Mark!

Here is WST statement:

Wednesday 27 Oct 2021 02:16PM

Mark Williams has been forced to withdraw from BetVictor European Masters qualifying and the BetVictor English Open after testing positive for Covid-19.

Williams was set to face Yuan Sijun at the European Masters and Paul Deaville at the English Open. He will be replaced in both instances by Mark Lloyd, who was the first available player in the Q School Order of Merit.

Sam Craigie also withdrew from the European Masters quals. Going by what transpired on Facebook, he suffers from severe back pain. His “replacement”, James Cahill tested postivive with covid…  As a result Soheil Vahedi will make the trip to Fuerth.

Here is the statement by WST:

Wednesday 27 Oct 2021 10:54AM

Sam Craigie has withdrawn from BetVictor European Masters qualifying in Cannock through injury, with his opponent Soheil Vahedi now receiving a bye through to the final stages.

James Cahill was on standby and was set to replace Craigie in the draw, but returned a positive lateral flow test for Covid-19 prior to play and was unable to compete as a result.

Life is seriously coming in the way of watching snooker at the moment for me, so I can’t comment on any of yesterday’ action.