Chinese prodigy Liu Chuang has been drawn to face provisional world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan in the in the first round of the World Snooker Championship.

The 17-year-old - who practises at Sheffield's World Snooker Academy - will go head to head with the 'Rocket' after a narrow triumph over Welshman Dominic Dale in the final qualifying round at the Academy.

"I'm very excited because Ronnie was my idol when I first started playing snooker at the age of 10," Liu said.

"I like the way he plays, but I will be nervous when I go into the arena with him."

Liu lost 5-1 to O'Sullivan in the 2007 China Open.

Another Welshman Matthew Stevens, who has lost in the final on two occasions, will play defending champion John Higgins of Scotland.

"There are no easy draws but Matthew is one of the toughest players I could have got," Higgins reflected.

"We've had some cracking matches over the years: I beat him 17-15 in the semi-finals in 2001, then the next year he thrashed me 13-7 in the quarters.

"I've got five or six weeks of solid practice now to get myself ready. I can't wait for the tournament. I'd love to defend my title."

Stephen Hendry, who has won seven titles at the Crucible, will go up against Mark Allen while veteran Steve Davis has been given Stuart Bingham.

Mark Williams, twice a victor in Sheffied, has been drawn against Mark Davis.

Masters champion Mark Selby - who lost to Higgins in 2007 - faces Mark King.

The draw in full:

K Doherty (Ire) v L Wenbo (Chn)

J Higgins (Sco) v M Stevens (Wal)

A Carter (Eng) v B Hawkins (Eng)

D Junhui (Chn) v M Fu (HK)

M Selby (Eng) v M King (Eng)

P Ebdon (Eng) v J Cope (Eng)

N Robertson (Aus) v N Bond (Eng)

S Davis (Eng) v S Bingham (Eng)

R Day (Wal) v M Judge (Eng)

R O'Sullivan (Eng) v L Chuang (Chn)

M Williams (Wal) v M Davis (Eng)

G Dott (Sco) v J Perry (Eng)

S Murphy (Eng) v D Harold (Eng)

S Lee (Eng) v J Swail (NIr)

S Hendry (Sco) v M Allen (NIr)

S Maguire (Sco) v A Hamilton (Eng)

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport