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Masters champion Neil Robertson has been drawn to face a local first-time qualifier in the first round of the World Championship in Sheffield.

Australia's Neil Robertson has been drawn against debutant Ashley Hugill at the Crucible, Sheffield, in the first round of the World Championship.

Masters champions Robertson is one of the favourites to triumph in Sheffield and repeat his triumph of 2010.

Robertson, 40, is ranked No.3 in the world and has enjoyed a stellar year, winning the Masters, the Players Championship and the English Open.

It will be a tall order for Hugill, from nearby York, who has battled past Dean Young, Martin Gould and Joe O'Connor to secure a first appearance in the main draw of snooker's showpiece event.

The tournament begins on Saturday. Robertson and Hugill, 27, will meet in their best of 19 match on Monday and Tuesday.

Elsewhere in Thursday's draw, defending champion Mark Selby has been drawn against Jamie Jones, from Wales, while world No.1 Ronnie O'Sullivan faces fellow top 20 player David Gilbert.