The draw for the Embassy World Snooker Championship was made today. Four Irish players will join the defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the 32-man line up when play begins at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on April 20th.
O’Sullivan, the current world number one, takes on Scotland’s Drew Henry in the first round as he bids to emulate last year’s run which ended with an 18-14 win over John Higgins in the final.
Ken Doherty, ranked fourth in the world, will meet Stuart Bingham of England in his opening match while fellow Dubliner, Fergal O’Brien, will take on Robert Milkins from Gloucester.
Joe Swail (ranked 13), who was beaten 17-11 in last year’s semi-final by O’Sullivan, takes on England’s Joe Perry but perhaps Michael Judge faces the toughest opening match of the Irish. He will face the world number five and beaten finalist from last week’s Irish Masters, Peter Ebdon.
First round Draw
(April 20th - May 6th, Irish in
bold)
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Drew Henry
Fergal O'Brienv Robert Milkins
Stephen Lee v Chris Small
Paul Hunter v Quinten Hann
Stephen Hendry v Shaun Murphy
Alan McManus v Anthony Davies
Mark King v David Gray
Ken Dohertyv Stuart Bingham
John Higgins v James Wattana
Graeme Dott v Robin Hull
Matthew Stevens v Mike Dunn
Jimmy White v Dominic Dale
Peter Ebdon v
Michael Judge
Joe Swailv Joe Perry
Dave Harold v Anthony Hamilton
Mark Williams v John Parrott