The draw for the first round of the 2017 World Championship has been made this morning (Thursday).
Mark Selby becoming world champion for the first time in 2014. Picture by Monique Limbos
It was broadcast live on social media and Eurosport Player with World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn and former world champion Cliff Thorburn revealing the ball numbers.
Defending champion Mark Selby will begin the defence of his crown by facing Fergal O’Brien.
Other fascinating games include an all Chinese affair between Ding Junhui – runner-up last year and Zhou Yuelong – considered a very hot prospect.
Teen Yan Bingtao, 17, will make his Crucible debut facing former world champion Shaun Murphy.
The qualifying process finished just after 11.30pm last night (Wednesday) which ended in record breaking with a TWO HOUR deciding frame between Fergal O’Brien and David Gilbert.
Now let battle commence! The action gets underway from 10am on Saturday.
THE FIRST ROUND DRAW
Mark Selby vs Fergal O’Brien
Ryan Day vs Xiao Guodong
Neil Robertson vs Noppon Saengkham
Marco Fu vs Luca Brecel
Shaun Murphy vs Yan Bingtao
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Gary Wilson
Liang Wenbo vs Stuart Carrington
Ding Junhui vs Zhou Yuelong
Stuart Bingham vs Peter Ebdon
Kyren Wilson vs David Grace
Mark Allen vs Jimmy Robertson
John Higgins vs Martin Gould
Barry Hawkins vs Tom Ford
Ali Carter vs Graeme Dott
Anthony McGill vs Stephen Maguire
Judd Trump vs Rory McLeod
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