The draw for the 2023 World Snooker Championship is complete, with the top 16 players on the planet knowing which of the qualifiers they will meet at the Crucible.
Defending champion and world number one Ronnie O’Sullivan begins the tournament on Saturday morning, facing Pang Junxu in his opening round contest.
The experience level could scarcely be more different in that clash, with Pang making his first appearance at the Crucible and the Rocket his 31st.
Arguably the highlight of the opening round is 2019 champion Judd Trump taking on former semi-finalist, and the man most seeds wanted to avoid, Anthony McGill.
Other attractive ties include Ding Junhui meeting Hossein Vafaei, a North East derby between Gary Wilson and Elliot Slessor, while many people’s tip for the title Mark Selby plays Matt Selt.
Shaun Murphy was on duty as the draw was made on BBC Radio Five Live and said: ‘I think the one for me was Gary Wilson picked out against Elliot Slessor, best mates. Remarkable to see how that type of thing happens. A fabulous, fabulous match, looking forward to that one for sure.’
‘It was always going to happen, if I hadn’t been here to witness it, I would have questioned it,’ said Murphy of meeting Si, who is now on the professional tour.
‘Obviously we played each other 18 months ago at the UK Championship and there was no controversy around that match, I didn’t make any outlandish comments after that.
‘There’ll be no drama. All the journalists will be swimming around that, I can hear the keys being smashed to pieces.’
World Snooker Championship Last 32 Draw
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Pang Junxu
Ding Junhui vs Hossein Vafaei
Luca Brecel vs Ricky Walden
Mark Williams vs Jimmy Robertson
Judd Trump vs Anthony McGill
Jack Lisowski vs Noppon Saengkham
Robert Milkins vs Joe Perry
Shaun Murphy vs Si Jiahui
Mark Allen vs Fan Zhengyi
Stuart Bingham vs Dave Gilbert
Ali Carter vs Jak Jones
Neil Robertson vs Wu Yize
Kyren Wilson vs Ryan Day
John Higgins vs David Grace
Gary Wilson vs Elliot Slessor
Mark Selby vs Matt Selt
2023 World Snooker Championship Last 32 Schedule
Saturday 15 April
10am
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Pang Junxu
Stuart Bingham vs Dave Gilbert
2.30pm
Luca Brecel vs Ricky Walden
Neil Robertson vs Wu Yize
7pm
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Pang Junxu
Ali Carter vs Jak Jones
Sunday 16 April
10am
Ding Junhui vs Hossein Vafaei
Stuart Bingham vs Dave Gilbert
2.30pm
Mark Williams vs Jimmy Robertson
Neil Robertson vs Wu Yize
7pm
Luca Brecel vs Ricky Walden
Ali Carter vs Jak Jones
Monday 17 April
10am
Ding Junhui vs Hossein Vafaei
Mark Allen vs Fan Zhengyi
2.30pm
Mark Williams vs Jimmy Robertson
John Higgins vs David Grace
7pm
Robert Milkins vs Joe Perry
Mark Allen vs Fan Zhengyi
Tuesday 18 April
10am
Jack Lisowski vs Noppon Saengkham
Gary Wilson vs Elliot Slessor
2.30pm
Judd Trump vs Anthony McGill
John Higgins vs David Grace
7pm
Robert Milkins vs Joe Perry
Gary Wilson vs Elliot Slessor
Wednesday 19 April
10am
Jack Lisowski vs Noppon Saengkham
Kyren Wilson vs Ryan Day
2.30pm
Judd Trump vs Anthony McGill
Mark Selby vs Matt Selt
7pm
Shaun Murphy vs Si Jiahui
Kyren Wilson vs Ryan Day
Thursday 20 April
1pm
Mark Selby vs Matt Selt
7pm
Shaun Murphy vs Si Jiahui
MORE : Shaun Murphy looks a viable alternative to Ronnie O’Sullivan for World Snooker Championship success
MORE : Steve Feeney explains Ronnie O’Sullivan reunion ahead of World Championship: ‘His game was not where he wanted it to be’
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