Defending champion John Higgins will play two-time runner-up Matthew Stevens in the first round of this year's 888.com World Championship.

It is a tough draw for the Scot, who claimed his second world title at the Crucible last year nine years after his maiden triumph.

Tournament favourite and provisional world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan plays 17-year-old qualifier Liu Chuang from China.

Seven-time champion Stephen Hendry takes on Mark Allen, while Steve Davis faces Stuart Bingham in the first round, which begins on April 19.

In-form Masters champion Mark Selby, last year's Crucible runner-up, meets on fellow Englishman Mark King, while two-time world champion Mark Williams faces Mark Davis.

First-round draw:

John Higgins v Matthew Stevens

Ryan Day v Michael Judge

Ding Junhui v Marco Fu

Stephen Hendry v Mark Allen

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Liu Chuang

Mark Williams v Mark Davis

Stephen Lee v Joe Swail

Ken Doherty v Liang Wenbo

Shaun Murphy v Dave Harold

Ali Carter v Barry Hawkins

Mark Selby v Mark King

Peter Ebdon v Jamie Cope

Neil Robertson v Nigel Bond

Stephen Maguire v Anthony Hamilton

Steve Davis v Stuart Bingham

Graeme Dott v Joe Perry

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