Murphy opens with Wattana test

Defending champion Shaun Murphy will begin the defence of his 888.com World Championship title against Thailand’s James Wattana when this year’s prestigious tournament gets underway on April 15.

The Rotherham star, who beat Welshman Matthew Stevens to win the famous title at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in May, was drawn first out of the hat at tonight’s live draw at the BBC Radio 5 Live studios in London.