• World Snooker Championships

Champion Robertson to face Trump in Crucible opener

Neil Robertson will return to the Crucible with a match against Judd Trump © Getty Images

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Neil Robertson will begin the defence of his World Snooker Championship title against rising star Judd Trump at the Crucible.

Robertson beat Graeme Dott 18-13 in the final last year to become the first Australian to win the tournament in Sheffield. He will now begin his defence of that crown against 21-year-old Trump, who enjoyed a glittering junior career but has yet to see that form translate to the senior level.

If victorious, Robertson could be on course for a rematch with Dott in the quarter-finals - should the gritty Scot overcome Mark King in his opener and both men successfully navigate the second round.

Elsewhere, current world No. 1 John Higgins has been handed a tough opener against the experienced Stephen Lee - a draw made doubly difficult by the fact he is on a collision course with Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarters. 'The Rocket' will begin his campaign against Dominic Dale.

Other notable match-ups see seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry paired with Joe Perry, while Mark Williams will enjoy an all-Welsh first round match with the dangerous Ryan Day.

Hendry could face Mark Selby in a potentially intriguing second round clash, should the 2007 runner-up see off Jimmy Robertson - who defeated former champion Ken Doherty in final qualifying to reach this stage.

The tournament runs from April 16 to May 2.

Full draw

Neil Robertson v Judd Trump
Marco Fu v Martin Gould
Graeme Dott v Mark King
Ali Carter v Dave Harold
Ding Junhui v Jamie Burnett
Peter Ebdon v Stuart Bingham
Stephen Hendry v Joe Perry
Mark Selby v Jimmy Robertson

Mark Williams v Ryan Day
Jamie Cope v Andrew Pagett
Mark Allen v Matthew Stevens
Stephen Maguire v Barry Hawkins
Shaun Murphy v Marcus Campbell
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Dominic Dale
Ricky Walden v Rory McLeod
John Higgins v Stephen Lee

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