Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan

World Championship Snooker: Ronnie O'Sullivan to face amateur James Cahill


Amateur qualifier James Cahill has been handed a dream World Championship debut against Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Crucible.

Thursday's draw saw O'Sullivan, a five-time world champion, pitted against the first amateur ever to qualify for the tournament, which begins on Saturday.

Defending champion Mark Williams will face Martin Gould in the first match on the schedule, with Crucible specialist Mark Selby opening up against Zhao Xintong.

Jack Lisowski faces Ali Carter in one of the ties of the opening round, former world champions Stuart Bingham and Graeme Dott go head-to-head, while in-form Neil Robertson takes on Michael Georgiou.

Snooker Shootout winner Thepchaiya Un-Nooh always looked a potential banana skin and it's Judd Trump who will have to overcome it, John Higgins was handed a tricky clash with Mark Davis, while Ding Junhui goes up against former quarter-finalist Anthony McGill.

McGill showed the damage a debutant can do with his 2015 run and there are seven of them in the 32-man draw, none so lacking in experience as Cahill.

"Playing at the Crucible is what I've dreamed of since I was a kid so to come through that match is a massive stepping-stone," he said after winning his final qualifier.

"I've relished playing against the big names and on the big occasions in the past so hopefully that'll stand me in good stead."

Sky Bet make O'Sullivan their 2/1 favourite from 5/1 chance Trump, with Robertson next at 6/1.

Selby, despite his poor season to date, is next in the market at 9/1 and it's 16/1 bar.

World Championship draw

Top half

  • Mark Williams (1) v Martin Gould
  • David Gilbert (16) v Joe Perry
  • Barry Hawkins (9) v Li Hang
  • Kyren Wilson (8) v Scott Donaldson
  • John Higgins (5) v Mark Davies
  • Stuart Bingham (12) v Graeme Dott
  • Shaun Murphy (13) v Luo Honghao
  • Neil Robertson (4) v Michael Georgiou

Bottom half

  • Mark Selby (3) v Zhao Xintong
  • Luca Brecel (14) v Gary Wilson
  • Jack Lisowski (11) v Ali Carter
  • Mark Allen (6) v Zhou Yuelong
  • Judd Trump (7) v Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
  • Ding Junhui (10) v Anthony McGill
  • Stephen Maguire (15) v Tian Pengfei
  • Ronnie O’Sullivan (2) v James Cahill

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