When does Ronnie O'Sullivan next play a ranking event? Latest British Open news as Mark Williams defends title

Ronnie O'Sullivan will not return to action at a ranking event until the British Open next month, but the snooker GOAT already knows his potential path to the last 32 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes. The current world champion will open his title quest against Swiss No. 1 Alexander Ursenbacher on Monday 26 September with the winner of that tie drawn against former Welsh Open semi-finalist Joe O'Connor in the second round.

Ad O'Conner secured his spot in the main draw after a 4-1 victory over Chris Wakelin during qualifying in Wigan. SnookerSix Red World Championship cancelled amid Allen 'frustrating' blast17 HOURS AGO The season's third ranking tournament, which returns again after its successful rebirth last year following a 17-year absence, will be staged between 26 September and 2 October with all matches involving the top 16 seeds held over until the finals venue. O'Sullivan will be chasing a second British Open, a remarkable 28 years after he defeated Thai icon James Wattana 9-4 for his first triumph in 1994.

Recent European Masters finalists Kyren Wilson and Barry Hawkins are on course for a repeat encounter in the last 64 in Milton Keynes if both men win their respective openers. Wilson meets Mark Davis while Hawkins faces Duane Jones. Wilson ran out a 9-3 winner against Hawkins despite compiling only one break over 50 in their Furth final.

Defending champion Mark Williams will take on Ben Woollaston in the last 64 if he can overcome Andres Petrov in the first round, with world No. 2 Judd Trump in line to face Si Jiahui if he can dispatch Scotland's Dean Young, a 4-2 winner over Liang Wenbo in qualifying. Three-time women's world champion Ng On Yee will confront former Welsh Open winner Jordan Brown in the