Sport category: Billiards Murphy to open defence against Wattana
Date: 19-03-2006 23:30
Defending World Champion Shaun Murphy will open his title defence against Thailand's James Wattana. In other first-round clashes, Stephen Hendry faces Nigel Bond in a repeat of the 1995 final, Ronnie O'Sullivan plays Dave Harold and Jimmy White meets practice partner David Gray.
Murphy confessed he was happy with the draw: "If I didn't want anyone it would have been Neil Robertson. I don't have a great track record against him."
Since his shock win last April, the Rotherham potter has failed to win another world ranking event.
But after reaching the Welsh Open final, his coach Steve Prest is adamant that Murphy is peaking at the right time.
"Shaun played really well at the Welsh Open, which is great with the World Championship so close," he said.
"It doesn't matter who you get in the first round, everyone at the Crucible is capable of winning the World Championship.
"We will be really prepared for this year's tournament and will be treating every player with the utmost respect."
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Murphy confessed he was happy with the draw: "If I didn't want anyone it would have been Neil Robertson. I don't have a great track record against him."