RICKY WALDEN will face Jak Jones in the first round of the UK Championship in York.

The Chester-cueman, ranked 30th, will be favourite against Welshman Jones, the world number 202 in Tuesday's encounter.

Ronnie O'Sullivan will open his defence against Luke Simmonds.

O'Sullivan, a six-time winner of the event, will kick off against Simmonds next Thursday.

The 42-year-old heads to Yorkshire 22 centuries short as he chases becoming the first player to reach 1,000 in his career.

World champion Mark Williams begins against Adam Duffy, while world number one Mark Selby faces James Cahill.

Judd Trump, who beat O'Sullivan 9-7 to win the Northern Ireland Open on Sunday, meets David Lilley.

A total of 128 players line-up in the first round, each needing to win seven matches to take the trophy and a top prize of £170,000.