Tough start for World Champion Higgins - 18/07/2007

WORLD Champion John Higgins faces a tough start on his return to the Premier League Snooker competition as he meets tournament favourite Ronnie O' Sullivan.

Higgins (pictured right) is making his first appearance in the prestigious competition for four seasons but will play O'Sullivan, who has lifted the trophy on the last three occasions, on the opening night at The Dolphin in Haywards Heath.

The other match in the first stage sees the ever-popular Jimmy White, a finalist in 2006, meet Chinese sensation Ding Jun Hui.

Also competing in the 2007 Premier League Snooker are Australian Neil Robertson, Scotland's Stephen Hendry and England's Steve Davis.

This year the league will also be held at Great Malvern, Dorking, Plymouth, Derby, Grimsby, Peterborough, Barnsley, Kidderminster and Glenrothes with the semi-finals and final both taking place in Aberdeen.

2007 Premier League Snooker fixtures
Each event starts at 7.30pm, apart from the show at Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, which starts at 6pm.

1. September 6 - Olympos, Haywards Heath - The Dolphin
Jimmy White v Ding Jun Hui and Ronnie O'Sullivan v John Higgins.

2. September 13 - Malvern Theatres, Great Malvern
Steve Davis v Neil Robertson and Ronnie O'Sullivan v Stephen Hendry.

3. September 20 - Dorking Halls
Neil Robertson v John Higgins and Jimmy White v Stephen Hendry.

4. September 27 - Plymouth Pavilions
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ding Jun-hui and Jimmy White v Steve Davis.

5. October 4 - Assembly Rooms, Derby
Stephen Hendry v Neil Robertson and Ronnie O'Sullivan v Steve Davis.

6. October 11 - Grimsby Auditorium
Stephen Hendry v John Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan v Jimmy White.

7. October 25 - The Cresset, Peterborough
Neil Robertson v Ding Jun Hui and Steve Davis v Stephen Hendry.

8. November 1 - The Metrodome, Barnsley
Jimmy White v John Higgins and Steve Davis v Ding Jun Hui.

9. November 15 - Glades Arena, Kidderminster
John Higgins v Ding Jun Hui and Ronnie O'Sullivan v Neil Robertson.

10. November 22 - Rothes Halls, Glenrothes
Jimmy White v Neil Robertson, Stephen Hendry v Ding Jun Hui and Steve Davis v John Higgins.

SF. December 1 - AECC, Aberdeen
Both semi-finals.

F. December 2 - AECC, Aberdeen
The Final.