Snooker World Championship preview as fans set for Crucible return

The Rocket will also begin his bid to match Stephen Hendry’s record of seven world titles in this year’s opening match on Saturday morning.

Joyce, 37, turned professional in 2006, but had never previously made it through to the showpiece tournament, securing his 2021 place through qualifying.

Elsewhere, Sheffield-based Ding Junhui will start against 2015 champion Stuart Bingham, who also came through qualifying, while world number one Judd Trump plays Liam Highfield.

Junhui, from China, would join the 11 winners of snooker’s ‘Triple Crown’, comprising the World and UK Championships and the Masters, with victory at this year’s tournament.

Masters champion Yan Bingtao, who is also based in the Steel City, faces qualifier Martin Gould in round one.

Three-time former champion Mark Selby, this year’s fourth seed, has a first-round match against Kurt Maflin, while 2020 runner-up Kyren Wilson meets Gary Wilson, a former semi-finalist.

Organisers hope to be able to have a capacity crowd of 980 attend the final, which is set for the last two days, with the winner on May 3 in line for a £500,000 top prize.

The venue will be a third full for round one, with the available capacity gradually increasing throughout the tournament which has been held annually at the ‘home of snooker’ since 1977.

Wilson said: "Sheffield is such a special place for all of the players. It's the history, the prestige and it's the spiritual home of our sport. We all get goosebumps just thinking about those moments when you arrive at the Crucible and go inside. Each time it feels very familiar and very special, but every World Championship has a different story and adds new chapter to that history.

"The people of Sheffield love snooker and know the game so well, I am thrilled that they will be a part of it this time.”

Tickets still remain for World Snooker Championship at The Crucible

Australian Neil Robertson is viewed as a leading contender to win a second world title following an impressive campaign so far – beating O’Sullivan in the Tour Championship final – and will take on Liang Wenbo in round one.

Veteran John Higgins is also among the favourites and will begin his quest for a fifth world crown against Tian Pengfei.