Barry Hawkins ready for Ronnie O'Sullivan test on opening night of Coral Players Championship in Preston

Barry Hawkins insists he won’t be afraid of taking on Ronnie O’Sullivan in the first round of the Coral Players Championship in Preston on Monday.
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Barry Hawkins meet on opening night in PrestonRonnie O'Sullivan and Barry Hawkins meet on opening night in Preston
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Barry Hawkins meet on opening night in Preston

The tournament at the Guild Hall features the top 16 players from this season’s money list, with O’Sullivan defending the title against players including Judd Trump, Mark Selby, John Higgins, Mark Williams, Neil Robertson and Mark Allen.

On the opening night on Monday at 7pm, Hawkins takes on five-time World Champion O’Sullivan.

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“To play the best player of all time on the first night of a big tournament is massive motivation for me,” said world number ten Hawkins.

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Barry Hawkins meet on opening night in PrestonRonnie O'Sullivan and Barry Hawkins meet on opening night in Preston
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Barry Hawkins meet on opening night in Preston

“Ronnie is one to avoid in the draw although it’s better to play him in the first round then later in the tournament when he’s on a roll.

“I’ve got nothing to be afraid of, I know what to expect and I know I have to perform well otherwise I’ll be going home.”

Hawkins beat O’Sullivan 13-12 the last time they met in the UK – at the 2016 World Championship.

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They also played in the final of this season’s Shanghai Masters in September with O’Sullivan winning 11-9.

“I’ve only beaten him a couple of times but we’ve had a lot of close matches where he has played out of his skin to beat me,” added London’s Hawkins, who has won two ranking events at the Guild Hall – the 2014 Players Championship and 2017 World Grand Prix.

“It’s a great venue and I’ve got good memories there. I will be in the right frame of mind.”

This season has been consistent so far for Hawkins – he has reached two ranking event semi-finals as well as the final of the invitational Shanghai Masters – but he is yet to pick up a trophy.

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“I have played well in patches but unless you win a title it’s not a great season,” said the 39-year-old.

“Last season I finished strongly in the last few tournaments so hopefully it will be the same this time because there are some massive events in the next few weeks.”

Tickets to see the action at the Guild Hall are still available and start at £15.

For details see www.worldsnooker.com/tickets