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Ding to face Zhou in all-Chinese first round at snooker worlds

Xinhua, April 13, 2017 Adjust font size:

China's number one Ding Junhui will play compatriot Zhou Yuelong in the first round of the 2017 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield.

Ding, ranked fourth in the world, looks to win his first world title after losing to Mark Selby in last year's final.

Defending champion Selby will take on Fergal O'Brien of Ireland, who was the last qualifier for the tournament after winning the longest frame in snooker history in a final frame decider against David Gilbert.

Five-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan faces Gary Wilson.

China's Yan Bingtao, the first player to be born in the year 2000 to play at the Crucible, will meet former world champion Shaun Murphy.

Yan will be aged 17 years and 58 days when the tournament proper starts on Saturday and he'll be the second youngest player to compete at the Crucible, after Luca Brecel who was 15 days younger in 2012.

The two-week championship begins on April 15 with the final on May 1. Endit