Mark Selby makes his second trip to the Far East within a month when he flies out to Beijing today.

The 'Jester from Leicester' begins his China Open campaign on Wednesday with a first-round clash against either Rod Lawler or Thailand's Supoj Saenla.

He has only just returned from a week in China, where he signed a two-year sponsorship deal with snooker table manufacturers Rising Dragon Group (Old World).

Selby also took part in a number of exhibitions before flying back to Leicester to continue his preparations for the penultimate tournament of the season.

With the World Championships starting in Sheffield 13 days after the China Open finishes, the world No.7 knows a good run at the Beijing Students University Stadium would leave him in good stead for his Crucible campaign.

Lawler and Supoj play in the wildcard round on Monday for the right to meet Selby in the last 32 in a best-of-nine frames clash.

Lawler is ranked 61st in the world and won three matches to earn his chance against Supoj, who is unranked and something of an unknown quantity.

"I don't know anything about him other than he spent a season on the main tour a couple of years ago before falling off," said Selby.

"Lawler has been around for a long time and must be playing well to have qualified, especially as he beat Ricky Walden in his last qualifying match.

"I've been preparing well and putting in all the hours I can on the practice table, and I will go to China feeling confident."

Selby, who won the Masters in January, will start as overwhelming favourite to win his first-round match, but next up could be a clash against home hero Ding Junhui.

"I was disappointed to lose in the second round (5-1 against Graeme Dott) last year, and I'm determined the same thing won't happen again, whoever I'm playing," said Selby.

He added that his sponsorship deal with Rising Dragon Group is also a welcome boost.

"You don't want to be thinking about the financial side of things all the time, you just want to get your head down and play snooker," he said.

"But this season we've only had six tournaments and there isn't as much prize money around, so any extra bit of income helps take off the pressure."