KEIGHLEY'S Chris Melling starts his campaign to qualify for his first appearance at The Crucible today.

The 36-year-old faces 24-year-old Chinaman Li Hang in the first qualifying round of the Betfred World Championship at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, also in Sheffield (2.30).

The winner of the best-of-19 frame match, which concludes tomorrow afternoon (2.30), will then face either Gary Wilson or Eden Sharav on Monday (10am, 7.30pm).

Possible third-round opponents on Monday and Tuesday (5pm) include former world champion Peter Ebdon or Joel Walker, who is bidding to become the first player from Sheffield to compete at The Crucible.