Welsh Open snooker 2022: Jimmy White set for crack at Neil Robertson, but who do Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump face?

ByEurosport

Updated 03/02/2022 at 08:52 GMT

The 31st staging of the Welsh Open at the ICC in Newport has thrown up several intriguing matches with six-time world finalist Jimmy White drawn against Masters holder Neil Robertson in the first round. Ronnie O'Sullivan meets Sam Craigie with Judd Trump opening against Dean Young. You can watch snooker live and on-demand on discovery+. You can also watch all the action live on eurosport.co.uk.

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Jimmy 'Whirlwind' White has been handed a crack at Masters champion Neil Robertson in an intriguing opening match in the first round of the Welsh Open in Newport (28 February-6 March LIVE on Eurosport).

White won his solitary Masters title in 1984 with Australia's leading player Robertson – who has been battling a bout of Covid in recent days – claiming the Paul Hunter Trophy for a second time 38 years later courtesy of a 10-4 victory over Barry Hawkins last month.

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While 2019 Welsh Open winner Robertson is looking to double up at the event, Ronnie O'Sullivan begins his latest quest for a fifth title against world number 42 Sam Craigie.

Elsewhere, fourth seed Judd Trump meets Scottish youngster Dean Young at a competition he has yet to win having lost the 2017 final 9-8 to Stuart Bingham.

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The top 16 are guaranteed a place at the final venue with a qualifying round being staged at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton (15-22 February) for the sport's third longest running ranking event behind the World and UK Championship respectively.

Defending champion and top seed Jordan Brown – who shocked O'Sullivan 9-8 in last year's final ranked at 81 in the world and a 750-1 outsider – begins the defence of his title against Mitchell Mann in the first round at the International Convention Centre at Celtic Manor.

Northern Ireland Open winner Mark Allen faces 1997 world champion Ken Doherty in the round of 128 while John Higgins begins his quest for a record sixth Welsh Open against world number 64 Pang Junxu.

Brown's elevation to top seed means world number 16 and Scottish Open holder Luca Brecel must play a qualifier against Rory McLeod in Wolverhampton.