Big names handed tough World Championship openers

Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins were today handed tough-looking first-round draws for this year’s Betfred.com World Snooker Championship.

O’Sullivan, who has tumbled to 10th in the rankings, faces Welshman Dominic Dale, while world number one and fellow three-time champion Higgins takes on Stephen Lee.

Defending champion Neil Robertson was drawn to meet rising star Judd Trump and seven-time champion Stephen Hendry will meet Joe Perry.

Draw for the 2011 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship (April 16 to May 2 at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England):

Jamie Cope v Andrew Pagett

Ding Junhui v Jamie Burnett

John Higgins v Stephen Lee

Neil Robertson v Judd Trump

Mark Allen v Matthew Stevens

Ricky Walden v Rory McLeod

Mark Williams v Ryan Day

Stephen Maguire v Barry Hawkins

Ronnie O’Sullivan v Dominic Dale

Shaun Murphy v Marcus Campbell

Graeme Dott v Mark King

Stephen Hendry v Joe Perry

Ali Carter v Dave Harold

Peter Ebdon v Stuart Bingham

Mark Selby v Jimmy Robertson

Marco Fu v Martin Gould