The draw for snooker’s 2014 UK Championship has been made, with Steve Davis against Ricky Walden the pick of the first round ties.
The tournament will run from November 25 to December 7 at the York Barbican, with all 128 players contesting the opening round over the first three days.
Six-time UK Champion Davis saw his 36-year stint on the professional tour come to an end last season, but he is still able to enter certain events thanks to special invites to legendary players. And the 57-year-old will face world number eight Walden, who won the biggest title of his career last Sunday at the International Championship in China. That match takes place on Wednesday November 26.
Ronnie O’Sullivan begins his quest for a fifth UK title against Welsh amateur Daniel Wells on Thursday November 27. Defending champion Neil Robertson will meet Leicester’s Joe O’Connor, while World Champion Mark Selby faces Derbyshire’s Oliver Brown.
Ali Carter, who will play in his first full ranking event since successful treatment for lung cancer, will take on China’s Zhang Anda, while crowd favourite Jimmy White has been drawn against Stoke’s Dave Harold.
Irish amateur John Sutton, given an invitation to the ranking event, has been handed a dream – depending on which way you look at it – first round encounter with China’s no.1 Ding Junhui.
David Morris, meanwhile, takes on Li Hang, Fergal O’Brien faces Brazilian Igor Figueirido while 1997 world champion Ken Doherty meets Mitchell Mann.
The first round will be played before BBC’s television coverage starts, so be there at the venue to see the drama unfold!
Tickets for the tournament start at just £8 (concessions £4) and several sessions are close to sell-out so fans must book fast. For details call 0844 854 2757 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets
