Michael White is a two-time ranking event winner but is currently playing as an amateur having dropped off the pro tour.
The draw for the world ranking event has pitted three-time World Champion Williams against White in a Welsh derby in the opening round. That match will take place on Tuesday February 16th at 1pm.
In all there will be 128 players battling for the Ray Reardon Trophy in the tournament which runs from February 15 to 21.
Shaun Murphy, who won the event for the first time last year, will start the defence of his title against Zak Surety on Monday February 15th at 1pm
World number one Judd Trump will meet China’s Zhao Jianbo while World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan will face Robbie Williams. BetVictor Shoot Out champion Ryan Day will be up against Ian Burns.
It’s the fourth and final Home Nations event of the season, and the fifth of six events in the BetVictor European Series.
The event will be broadcast by BBC Wales, Eurosport, CCTV5, Matchroom Live and a range of other broadcasters worldwide.
Ronnie will start his campaign in Tuesday, 16 Frebruary, probably after 2pm, against Robbie Williams. It’s a tough opening match over such a short format, with possibly Mark Joyce, Martin Gould and David Gilbert or Zhou Yuelong to follow: certainly not an easy draw. Of course, he could also face Jimmy White in the second round provided they both win their last 128 match. A lot of fans would love that but I don’t really expect that to happen. If Ronnie progesses in the tournament, he could play John Higgins in the QFs and Judd Trump in the SFs. Aargh…
2 thoughts on “The 2021 Welsh Open – Draw and Format”
It’s kinda ridiculous how often Judd and Ronnie (as the #1 and #2 ranked players in the world) have been on the same side of the draw this season, with Lucky Selby on the other side. At least that won’t happen at the World Championship…
Well it’s bound to happen in every tournament where neither is defending champion, because they will be seeds 2 and 3 in those. Selby and Robertson will find themselves on the other side.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 
It’s kinda ridiculous how often Judd and Ronnie (as the #1 and #2 ranked players in the world) have been on the same side of the draw this season, with Lucky Selby on the other side. At least that won’t happen at the World Championship…
Well it’s bound to happen in every tournament where neither is defending champion, because they will be seeds 2 and 3 in those. Selby and Robertson will find themselves on the other side.