The 27-year-old's results from the French Open, where he reached the third round, were declared invalid and his ranking points and prize money withdrawn.

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"The first-round match is so important in terms of the ranking points so hopefully I can relax a bit, " he said.

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The Sale potter will be joined in the next round by Ali Carter , who won his first ranking event title last season when he beat Joe Swail in the final of the Welsh Open.

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