Volkswacht Bodensee - O'Sullivan to face Chinese debutant He Guoqiang in World Championship opener

The 25-year-old He beat world number 18 Jack Lisowski in qualifying for the showpiece event at the Crucible Theatre and has defeated O'Sullivan in two of their three previous career meetings.

O'Sullivan, is looking to take sole possession of a modern-day record of seven world titles he currently shares with the retired Stephen Hendry of Scotland.

The 50-year-old, whose most recent world title triumph was in 2022, is making his 34th consecutive appearance at the World Championship.

O'Sullivan has not won a ranking title this season but made the sport's highest-ever professional break with a 153 at the World Open in March.

Rising star He is one of a record 11 Chinese players in the tournament.

China's contingent also includes reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday.

Zhao thrashed O'Sullivan 17-7 with a session to spare in last year's semi-finals before becoming the first Chinese player to win the title by beating veteran three-time champion Mark Williams in the final.

Two of this year's first-round ties are all-Chinese encounters, with Xiao Guodong taking on Zhou Yuelong and Wu Yize playing Lei Peifan.

Four-time world champion John Higgins faces two-time runner-up Ali Carter, with the winner potentially taking on O'Sullivan in the second round.

Antoni Kowalski, the first Polish player to qualify for the Crucible, is up against Williams.

D.Schaer--VB