REIGNING CHAMP Ronnie O’Sullivan has been handed a tricky start in his defence of the UK Championship title.
The 47-year-old will face Barry Hawkins, in a repeat of the 2013 World Championship final.
The UK Championship gets underway this Saturday and will last through to December 1.
The ‘Rocket’ has been handed a tough first test as he looks to reach his first final of the season.
He’s somewhat out-of-form having endured disappointment in the Xi’an Grand Prix and Shanghai Masters.
O’Sullivan also suffered one of the biggest collapses in recent memory when he crashed out the Champion of Champions in embarrassing fashion after losing a 3-0 lead to Xiao Guodong.
Judd Trump, who will fancy his chances of a second UK title, faces Neil Robertson for second time in as many weeks.
The world No.1 counted himself “unlucky” after he took a swipe at Robertson’s tactics in his 6-4 quarter-final loss last week.
Elsewhere, reigning world champion Kyren Wilson – yet to win the UK Championship – will play Stephen Maguire.
And Mark Selby will meet Jack Lisowski, who stopped Bai Yulu becoming the first woman to reach this stage, in another eye-catching match.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Champion of Champions winner Mark Williams must overcome Stuart Bingham in the last session on Tuesday.
While former Asda delivery driver and International Championship finalist Chris Wakelin returns to play fellow Brit Matthew Selt.
While four-time world champ John Higgins will play either He Guoqiang or Stan Moody.
All eyes will be fully focused on O’Sullivan and Hawkins come Saturday afternoon, though, with the eight-time UK winner’s match first on the card at the Barbican.
Shaun Murphy takes on Zhai Xintong and Ali Carter faces Ryan Day after O’Sullivan leaves the table.
O’Sullivan has a record 23 Triple Crown titles to his name and beat Ding Junhui in last year’s UK Championship final.
Saturday 23 November
Sunday 24 November
Monday 25 November
Tuesday 26 November
