Three of the main contenders for the 2012 World Snooker Championship title get their campaigns under way on day four at the Crucible.
Last year’s runner-up Judd Trump, the tournament favourite, is expected to repeat his UK Championship first-round win over Dominic Dale.
Trump may see it as a good omen that he faces the Welshman again for he went on to lift the trophy in York after beating Dale last time.
The man Trump edged out in last year’s Sheffield semi-finals, Ding Junhui, also faces a Welsh opponent in Ryan Day.
Ding had an extremely moderate record at the Crucible until 2011 when he finally produced some of his best form at the hallowed venue, ultimately going down 17-15 to Trump.
It is well known that the Chinese ace does not like playing in the morning so, with both sessions starting at 10:00 BST, Day may sense an opportunity and think his best chance is to start well and stay ahead.
Regarded as something of an under-achiever in the sport, Day certainly has the talent to trouble Ding, but the Welshman has suffered a fall from grace since he was ranked as high as No 6 in the world a couple of years ago.
Mark Selby will hope to prove he deserves to be the world No 1 by winning the World Championship for the first time and he faces a tricky opener against Barry Hawkins.
The Jester perhaps does not win as many titles as he should and his status as the game’s best player is based on his consistency in reaching the latter stages.
Former champion and two-time runner-up Graeme Dott is favoured to get the better of Joe Perry in their match which starts in the afternoon.
2012 World Snooker Championship order of play on Tuesday, April 24:
First round
10:00 BST
Ding Junhui v Ryan Day
Judd Trump v Dominic Dale
14:30 BST
Graeme Dott v Joe Perry
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Peter Ebdon (final session)
19:00 BST
Mark Selby v Barry Hawkins
Stephen Lee v Andrew Higginson (final session)
