Simon Bedford wanted a big name in the first round of the Embassy World Snooker Championships, and he certainly got one.

The world number 215 from Bradford may have confessed live on Saturday's BBC Grandstand to wanting world champion Ken Doherty, but wasn't disappointed to get six times winner Steve Davis for his Crucible debut.

"I am pleased that I will be playing a former world champion," admitted the 22-year-old, who is the lowest ranked player ever to qualify for the sport's blue riband event.

"Things are going well in practice - I got a maximum last week - and I am confident in my preparation. I can't wait for the event to start. I think I will be in action on April 19 - the second day - and I will have a lot of support."

Allerton's Cuedos Snooker Club also have two other players in the draw - 12th seed James Wattana and qualifier Jason Prince.

Wattana meets Ireland's Fergal O'Brien while Crucible debutant Prince faces Welshman Darren Morgan.

Leeds' Peter Lines has also landed a plum draw in the shape of former world champion John Parrott.

Old rivals Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White, who have contested four world finals in the 90s, have been paired together in the opening round of the £1.32m event.

Hendry paid the Londoner handsome tribute and insisted he will be up against it to get past The Whirlwind.

"There are not too many tougher draws than Jimmy. I didn't really want to meet someone of his class in my first match," said the 29-year old Scot, who will be attempting to win a record-breaking seventh Embassy crown.

"I can't really believe it's happened, but it's great for the tournament," added the world number one who has beaten the popular Londoner in four finals at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, including their fantastic 18-17 head-to-head in 1994.

Hendry has a good record over 'the people's champion' in recent years, and White, who had to qualify for The Crucible this year for the first time since 1982, has lost 12 successive matches against the Scot, including meetings earlier this month in the Liverpool Victoria Charity Challenge and Thailand Masters.

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