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.

World Snooker qualifiers - update on some former champions

Peter Ebdon, champion in 2002, will miss out again on a return to Sheffield's Crucible this year after losing in the World Championship second qualifying round.  He lost 7-10 to Grimsby's Stuart Carrington

A view of the main hall at Ponds Forge with its 11 tables

Six-time finalist Jimmy White defeated James Wattana 10-3 in the first qualifying round to keep his dream of a Crucible return alive, but although he started 7-2 in his second-round match to Matthew Selt eventually lost 10-8.

Table 1, main hall Ponds Forge

Six-time World Champion Steve Davis beat Jamie Cope 10-9 on the last black in his first round qualifier.  He later bombed out 10-1 to Kurt Maflin after losing a one-sided morning session 8-1.   

Ken Doherty progressed again - after beating Lee Walker 10-6 he will next face Mark Davies.