Barry Hawkins will begin his quest for a return to the World Championship final with an opening round clash against China’s Zhang Anda at the Crucible Theatre.

The Ditton potter, ranked 11 in the world, will be taking part in his 11th event in Sheffield, facing an opponent ranked 71st this weekend who has exited in the first round on his only two previous appearances.

After losing in the first round on his first five appearances, 36-year-old Hawkins has gone from strength to strength.

The left-hander exited in the second round in 2011 and 2012 but enjoyed a fairytale run to the 2013 final, beating World No1 Mark Selby and Ding Junhui before losing to Ronnie O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan also knocked Hawkins out in the semi-final the following year while Shaun Murphy ousted the Kent man in the last four a year ago.

The annual showpiece features the world’s top 16 ranked players alongside 16 qualifiers battling it out for £1.5million in prize money from April 16 to May 2.