Updated / Thursday, 15 Apr 2021
12:21
Ronnie O Sullivan has failed to win a ranking event this season, coming up short in five finals
Ronnie O Sullivan will open the defence of his Betfred World Snooker Championship title against debutant Mark Joyce at the Crucible.
Veteran Joyce, 37, turned professional in 2006, but had never previously made it through to the showpiece tournament, securing his place with victory over Brazil’s Igor Figueiredo in the last qualifying round.
Elsewhere in Thursday’s draw, former champion Stuart Bingham, another who came through qualifying, will meet China’s Ding Junhui, while world number one Judd Trump plays Liam Highfield.
China s Ding to begin snooker World Championship against Bingham
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In-form Neil Robertson heads to Crucible full of confidence
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Ding draws former champion Bingham in world snooker opener
Issued on:
15/04/2021 - 13:52 Chinese star Ding Junhui s bid to finally be crowned snooker world champion begins against 2015 winner Stuart Bingham - AFP 2 min
London (AFP)
China s Ding Junhui s bid to finally land the world snooker title begins against 2015 champion Stuart Bingham after the draw was made on Thursday.
Ding, 34, a two-time semi-finalist and who reached the final in 2016 meets an opponent whose best days may well be behind him having had to come through qualifying to gain his place at The Crucible Theatre.
The championships get under way on Saturday and reach their climax on May 3.