Seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has been drawn to face Ali Carter in the first round of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.
The 49-year-old, who is seeded fifth, defeated Carter in the 2008 and 2012 finals at the Crucible.
O'Sullivan has not played competitively since snapping his cue after withdrawing from the Championship League in January.
He pulled out of five of the last six World Snooker Tour events on medical grounds and has yet to confirm if he will play in this year's tournament.
HALO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW! 🍿
— WST (@WeAreWST) April 17, 2025
Which match are you looking forward to the most? #HaloWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/vWOzH38HiR
Kyren Wilson will begin his title defence against Lei Peifan when action starts on Saturday morning, while world number one Judd Trump - the 2019 winner - has been paired with Zhou Yuelong.
Four-time champion Mark Selby, who was in Salford to help conduct the draw on Thursday morning, is set to face fellow Leicester native Ben Woollaston
While Mark Allen will take on Fan Zhengyi, looking to complete the Triple Crown of titles, having already won the UK Championship and the Masters.
He might take inspiration from fellow countryman Rory McIlroy, who claimed the title he needed to complete golf's grand slam at the Masters on Sunday.
