The hectic snooker ranking calendar continues as the 2012 Welsh Open gets underway in Newport on Monday.

Watch and bet on live Welsh Open Snooker at Bet365 > Live streaming > Snooker

The event sees 32 of the world's top players compete in the £200,000 event over seven days of quick-fire action in the Valleys.

The first round draw has thrown up a number of potential classic matches, with shocks a distinct possibility over the short format.

John Higgins begins the defence of his title against Chinese ace Liang Wembo; Higgins has come up short in recent ranking events and is yet to win a title this season.

The Scot will be out to pick up the pace before the all-important World Championship with a win in Wales.

Ronnie O'Sullivan heads to Newport fresh from his victory at the German Masters last weekend. The Rocket ended his ranking drought of over two years without a major title by lifting the title in Berlin.

He proved he still has what it takes to stay at the top of the sport and cannot be dismissed for any major title. He begins this particular campaign as the 7/1 favourite but must first get through a tricky tie against Hong Kong's Marco Fu.

Should the Chigwell ace progress, he could face native Welshman Mark Williams in the next round.

The stand out first round tie sees Masters champion Neil Robertson take on seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry in a potential thriller.

The duo are also set to meet in the first round of the new World Open and are certain to provide a highly entertaining battle if they each bring their top form to the table.

Last year's event was remembered for the historic 10th career maximum 147 break made by Hendry in his second round match against Stephen Maguire. Could he possibly repeat the feat and break Ronnie's record this time around?

UK Champion Judd Trump has been installed as the joint outright favourite; the young Bristolian faces experienced Irishman Fergal O'Brien in his opener and will be looking to add this title to his growing list of major wins.

Last year's runner-up Stephen Maguire faces newcomer Adam Wicheard, while resident Welsh star Matthew Stevens faces Shootout winner Barry Hawkins.

Youth meets experience as two Irish stars go head-to-head in Mark Allen and Ken Doherty. Meanwhile legend Steve Davis will be out to cause another upset by defeating the out of sorts Ali Carter.
 
The tournament will take place from February 13-19 at the Newport Centre in Wales, with selected matches being streamed live. The Schedule of play will be announced shortly.

First Round Draw
John Higgins v Liang Wenbo   
Ding Junhui v Mark Davis   
Stephen Lee v Day/ Holt
Graeme Dott v Tom Ford   
Shaun Murphy v Mark Joyce   
Ali Carter v Steve Davis   
Mark Allen v Ken Doherty   
Neil Robertson v Stephen Hendry   
Mark Williams v Andy Hicks   
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Marco Fu   
Stuart Bingham v Mark King   
Judd Trump v Fergal O'Brien   
Stephen Maguire v Adam Wicheard   
Matthew Stevens v Barry Hawkins   
Martin Gould v Peter Ebdon   
Mark Selby v Dale/ Baird

Format
Round One best of seven
Last 16 best of seven
Quarter-Finals best of nine
Semi-Finals best of 11
Final best of 17

Prize Fund
Winner: £30,000
Runner-up: £15,000
Semi-finals: £7,500
Quarter-finals: £5,600
Last 16: £4,000
Last 32: £2,500
Last 48: £1,600
Last 64: £1,250
Non-TV High Break: £500
TV High break: £1,000
Total: £201,500

Selected Outright Odds (courtesy of Bet365)

Ronnie O'Sullivan 7/1
Judd Trump 7/1
Mark Selby 15/2
John Higgins 8/1
Neil Robertson 9/1
Mark Williams 10/1
Shaun Murphy 12/1
Stephen Maguire 12/1
Ding Junhui 14/1
Mark Allen 18/1
Graeme Dott 25/1
Matthew Stevens 30/1
Ali Carter 33/1
Stephen Lee 40/1
Martin Gould 40/1
Stuart Bingham 50/1
Marco Fu 66/1
Barry Hawkins 66/1
Stephen Hendry 66/1
Peter Ebdon 80/1
Mark Davis 80/1
Ken Doherty 100/1
Steve Davis 150/1