SHEFFIELD, April 18: It is a sign of the growing number of players from the Far East that the first round clash between China’s Ding Junhui and Hong Kong’s Marco Fu at the World Championships, which start at the Crucible Theatre here Saturday, won’t necessarily mean there’s only one Asian cuemaster left in the tournament.

There will be tough first round assignments with 17-year-old rookie Liu up against Ronnie O’Sullivan and 21-year-old left-hander taking on another former world champion in Ken Doherty.—AFP