World snooker draw: Ronnie O'Sullivan to begin Crucible defence against Marcus Campbell
Ronnie O'Sullivan will begin the defence of his snooker world title against world No 27 Marcus Campbell.
Last Updated: 15/04/13 6:25pm
The Scot is ranked one place higher O'Sullivan, who is bidding for successive wins on the back of a sabbatical from the game.
The four-time champion pulled out of the season in November but announced in February he would take up an invitation to return at the Crucible and will begin the tournament on April 20.
The draw has thrown up a repeat of the 2006 final between Graeme Dott and Peter Ebdon, the 2002 winner who came through this year's qualifiers.
Newcomer Jack Lisowski, one of six Sheffield debutants, takes on Barry Hawkins while two-time semi-finalist Alan McManus is paired with Ding Junhui on his first appearance in the tournament since 2006.
World No 1 Mark Selby faces another new face in Matthew Selt, and John Higgins - like O'Sullivan bidding for a fifth title - is drawn against Mark Davis.
Jimmy White was aiming to play in the competition for the first time since 2006 but his hopes were ended by Robert Milkins, who will face 2010 champion Neil Robertson.
Former world number one Judd Trump may also have been wishing for a slightly easier draw after being paired with Dominic Dale.
Shaun Murphy, champion in 2005, has reached three ranking semi-finals this season and he will start against Martin Gould, Matthew Stevens and Marco Fu will square off, while outspoken world number six Mark Allen meets Mark King.
The tournament gets under way this Saturday, with the final to be played on May 5 and 6.
First-round draw:
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Marcus Campbell
Ali Carter v Ben Woollaston
Stuart Bingham v Sam Baird
John Higgins v Mark Davis
Shaun Murphy v Martin Gould
Graeme Dott v Peter Ebdon
Matthew Stevens v Marco Fu
Judd Trump v Dominic Dale
Neil Robertson v Robert Milkins
Ricky Walden v Michael Holt
Mark Williams v Michael White
Stephen Maguire v Dechawat Poomjaeng
Mark Allen v Mark King
Ding Junhui v Alan McManus
Barry Hawkins v Jack Lisowski
Mark Selby v Matthew Selt