Betfred 2017 World Snooker Championships- Final, Day 1

Day 16 of 17 of the Betfred 2017 World Snooker Championships and it's defending champion and two-time winner Mark Selby up against four-time winner John Higgins.

A shot of the Crucible theatre, Sheffield early on in the day - no-one else in the auditorium or on the floor.

 Game-time approaches and the trophy is placed on the table - ready for the TV link

 Steve Davis doing a piece to camera before the players walk out

 First it is John Higgins (with Iron Maiden drummer Nico McBrain in the background)

 Followed by World #1, Mark Selby

 Referee Jan Verhaas carefully places the trophy for the traditional handshake shot

In the first frame Mark Selby took early control beofre John higgins brought it back to 1-1

Then, at the start of the third frame there was an animated discussion between the two players about the table.

World Snooker Championship - Day one and Ali Carter knocks out defending champion Stuart Bingham

A late night on the first day of the 2016 World Snooker Championship saw defending champion trail two-time finalist Ali Carter 5-8, and then rally to lead 9-8 with breaks of 88 and 113.  A century break by Carter saw it tied at 9-9 and then Bingham missed twice missed the pink in the same middle pocket to exit in the first round.

 "I'm gutted to be going back home," said Stuart Bingham at the press conference afterwards.