Ronnie O’Sullivan will launch his bid for the Northern Ireland Open title on Tuesday when he takes on Iran’s Soheil Vahedi in Belfast.

O’Sullivan is seeded third for the competition but plays just two days after claiming his latest title, overcoming Kyren Wilson in a dramatic Champion of Champions final.

The Rocket had cruised into a 6-3 lead at the end of the first session but was forced into a decider prior to taking the £100,000 first prize.

That late 10-9 showing in Coventry won’t have done him many favours but the five-time world champion is backed for a strong week in Belfast.

Last year saw him stunned in a 4-1 defeat to novice Elliot Slessor, with his bid for the Alex Higgins Trophy and £1,000,000 Home Nations prize thwarted in the process.

Tuesday’s first round will also see snooker legend Jimmy White take to the table, with Martin O’Donnell in the sights of the six-time world finalist.

The 56-year-old has twice before faced O’Donnell – a man seeded 11 places higher for this event – with White winning their first meeting in 2013.

But O’Donnell got his revenge earlier this year, prevailing 4-2 in the second round of the Gibraltar Open.  

The winner of that match could face Hong Kong hotshot Marco Fu in the second round.

Watch the Northern Ireland Open live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds