STEPHEN HENDRY will begin the defence of his Embassy World Championship title next month with a first-round match against journeyman professional Jason Ferguson.
The Scottish ace, attempting to win the game's premier event for the fifth year in succession and for the sixth time since 1990, will be a red hot favourite for the record £200,000 first prize at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre from April 20th to May 6th.
Hendry has crossed cues with world number 29 Ferguson three times before in ranking tournaments and has dropped only two frames.
He has also whitewashed his Mansfield opponent 5-0 twice - in the 1992 and 1993 British Opens - so will be, extremely confident of making progress.
"I have come to realise over the years that you can't take any match at Sheffield for granted, but I am quite happy with that draw," said 27-year-old Hendry.
The draw also looks to have treated Ireland's Ken Doherty kindly, throwing up Nick Terry of England as his first round opponent. The 29-year-old Terry has had an undistinguished career since. turning professional, in 1988 and shouldn't present Doherty with too difficult.a hurdle.
Cannock's Steve James, the last player to defeat Hendry in the championship when he scored a shock 13-11 win in the 1991 quarter-finals, faces Malta's 14th seed Tony Drago.
Steve Davis, who will be trying to complete an unprecedented seventh Crucible triumph, was pitched against Willie Thorne.
If past form is a reliable indicator Davis should advance with few alarms as he has prevailed in 21 of their previous 26 meetings with Thorne's last victory coming in the Matchroom Trophy 10 years ago.
John Higgins, who has shot to prominence by capturing five ranking titles over the last 17 months, tackles Martin Clark.
And 20-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan who, like Higgins, has only one more opportunity to supersede Hendry as the youngest-ever winner of the championship, meets Canadian Alain Robidoux.
John Parrott, the 1991 world champion, takes on fellow Liverpudlian Rod Lawler; Jimmy White plays, Euan Henderson, who surprisingly beat him in the 1994. Skoda Grand Prix; and Peter, Ebdon provides the opposition for New Zealand's Dene O'Kane.
