Pukka Pies UK Snooker Championship
Venue: Telford International Centre Dates: Sat 5 Dec to Sun 13 Dec Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website.
 Murphy also finished runner-up at the World Championship last season |
Shaun Murphy begins his quest to become only the third player to successfully defend the UK Championship title with an opening match against Gerard Greene. Murphy, 27, overcame poor form to beat Marco Fu to lift the crown last year. Only Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry have won consecutive UK crowns and the 2009 world finalist said: "If I add my name to the list I'll be very proud." World number one Ronnie O'Sullivan faces Matthew Stevens, while John Higgins is up against Ricky Walden. A year ago Murphy beat qualifier Martin Gould, Mark Allen, Stephen Lee and Stephen Maguire, before his 10-9 defeat of Hong Kong's Fu in the final. "Last year I hadn't really practised hard before the event, had no confidence and I hadn't won a match for nearly six months. I came to this tournament just looking for my first win," he said.  | 606: DEBATE |
"This time I'll come here in much better form and much more confident. I've had a good season, so I'll probably lose in the first round!" It has been a week of upheaval for the sport, with the exit of World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairman Sir Rodney Walker and the introduction of promoter Barry Hearn onto the board. Six-time world champion Davis has also joined the governing body's board, but this weekend the veteran will turn his attention to action on the baize with a first-round clash against his rival Hendry. Both have an excellent record in the sport's second biggest tournament. Davis, 52, holds the most UK titles with six, claiming back-to-back victories in 1980 and 81 and from 1984 to 87. Hendry, now ranked 10th in the world, has won the event five times, in 1989 and 90 and again from 1994 to 96. Davis, who lost to Hendry in the 1989 and 1990 finals before beating him for the first time in nine years in the 2005 semi-finals, came through qualifying this year and is thrilled to be playing the Scot. Steve Davis says the UK title is up for grabs "It will be fantastic to play Stephen - he's bashed me up all over the place over the years," Davis said. "There will be a bit of nostalgia." Australian Neil Robertson, who won the recent Grand Prix winner to become the most successful player from outside Britain and Ireland, starts against Tom Ford, ranked 49, as he target a fifth ranking title. "It's one of the biggest tournaments and I'd really love to win it," he said. "I tend to play my best in televised matches in front of a big crowd so I hope we will get a lot of support in Telford." World number two Stephen Maguire will still play Michael Holt on Saturday despite the recent death of his grandfather. The 2004 UK champion, still recovering from a shoulder injury after slipping in the shower, said: "My granddad told me he wanted me to go to the UK Championship. That's what he wanted me to do, and I will be carrying out his wishes." Archive - Murphy flukes pink to seal 2008 UK crown (UK users only)
UK Championship first-round draw: Shaun Murphy v Gerard Greene
Ding Junhui v Mike Dunn
Mark Allen v Stephen Lee
Ali Carter v Rory McLeod
Marco Fu v Peter Lines
Mark Williams v Graeme Dott
Joe Perry v Stuart Bingham
Stephen Maguire v Michael Holt
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Matthew Stevens
Peter Ebdon v Judd Trump
Stephen Hendry v Steve Davis
Mark Selby v Jamie Cope
Ryan Day v Liang Wenbo
Mark King v Anthony Hamilton
Neil Robertson v Tom Ford
John Higgins v Ricky Walden
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