Ding Junhui plays against Gary Wilson in the semifinal of the 2015 World Snooker China Open in Beijing, April 4, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

LONDON - China's former world No 1 Ding Junhui will play Mark Davies in the first round of World Snooker Championship to kick off in Sheffield on Saturday.

Ding, the third seed, has not won a single ranking event title this season.

He beat the 18th-ranked Davies in the second round of China Open in Beijing last month.

World number 98 Zhang Anda of China is the lowest ranked qualifier this year by beating Liang Wenbo 10-9 in a Chinese derby.

Defending champion Mark Selby faces Kurt Maflin, who beat Steve Davis in qualifier while Ronnie O'Sullivan takes on debutant Craig Steadman.

Four-time winner John Higgins faces Robert Milkins, Australian Neil Robertson plays Wales' Jamie Jones and England's Judd Trump takes on debutant Stuart Carrington.