Masters champion Neil Robertson takes on seven-time champion of the world - Stephen Hendry in the pick of the opening round ties in Newport this afternoon.

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Left-hander Robertson has established himself as one of the game's hottest properties in recent years and is among the favourites to challange for the Welsh Open title this week.

He will be hoping to follow up his Masters and Championship League successes with a good run in Newport but must first see off arguably the greatest player the game has ever produced.

Hendry has lifted this title three times during his glittering career and will be hoping to pull off a shock in the last 32 this afternoon.

The Scot won through his qualifying match to earn his place in the main event and still looks sharp when in among the balls.

He will need to take his chances against his unrelenting Aussie opponent over a relatively short format today.

The duo are set to meet in round one of the World Open next month and have met four times in total, with Robertson winning three of those encounters. 

The bookmakers make Robertson the firm 2/5 favourite to progress again tonight, with Hendry priced at 7/4 for victory with Bet365.

The match begins at approximately 2pm and will be streamed live over the best of seven frames from the Newport Centre, Wales.