Ronnie O’Sullivan to face debutant Mark Joyce in World Championship opener
Ronnie O’Sullivan is the defending champion (Nigel French/PA)
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.
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Yan Bingtao upsets John Higgins to win Masters title
Yan Bingtao beat John Higgins to claim his first Masters title (Zac Goodwin/PA)
Yan Bingtao was crowned the youngest Masters champion since Ronnie O’Sullivan in 1995 after sinking John Higgins 10-8 in Milton Keynes.
The 20-year-old Chinese star rose to the occasion to see off the Scot, 25 years his senior, and claim the title in his debut appearance in the top-16-only tournament.
It was a remarkably composed display from Yan, the world number 11, who twice hit back from two frames behind before seeing off the vastly experienced former two-time winner.