First session at the 2016 World Snooker Championships

The tradition is for the defending champion to have the honour of opening the next Championships by playing the first match.

Today, Stuart Bingham was drawn against Ali Carter and, on the other side of the barrier, Marco Fu took on Peter Ebdon.

 Stuart Bingham walks out to start his match on Table 2.

 Stuart Bingham and referee Paul Collier who will also referee the final.

 In the match on Table 1, 2002 Champion Peter Ebdon was playing Marco Fu.

 14th seed, Marco Fu.

 Stuart Bingham rues an early miss that let Ali Carter take a 4-1 lead.

 Ali Carter lines up a long shot to get out of a snooker.