Sheffield snooker star to face O'Sullivan in Crucible opener

Thursday morning's draw saw the talented Chinese youngster paired with the Rocket for their opening match at the Crucible next month.

Seven-time champion Stephen Hendry is also paired with a rising Chinese star, Crucible debutant Anda Zhang, 18.

Fellow Chinese player, Ding Junhui - who like Liang Wenbo lives in Sheffield during the snooker season - faces qualifier Stuart Pettman.

Former Rotherham world champion Shaun Murphy plays Gerrard Greene.

John Higgins will begin the defence of his title against Barry Hawkins.

Peter Ebdon meets Graeme Dott in the battle of two former world champions, while six-time winner Steve Davis takes on Mark King.

Full draw:

John Higgins v Barry Hawkins

Mark King v Steve Davis

Neil Robertson v Fergal O'Brien

Marco Fu v Martin Gould

Ali Carter v Jamie Cope

Joe Perry v Michael Holt

Ding Junhui v Stuart Pettman

Shaun Murphy v Gerrard Greene

Stephen Maguire v Stephen Lee

Peter Ebdon v Graeme Dott

Mark Allen v Tom Ford

Ryan Day v Mark Davis

Mark Selby v Ken Doherty

Stephen Hendry v Anda Zhang

Mark Williams v Marcus Campbell

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Liang Wenbo