CARLTON Blake of Olympic Strikers will start his defence of the Jamaica Skittles Federation/Sista National Open Singles competition against Rupert Bernard of Waltham All-Stars this Sunday at the Bourbon House Sports Bar on Windward Road in Kingston.

Blake will be play in the top-half of the draw, and should he get by Bernard, is likely to face the winner of 2008 runner-up Keith ‘Colterer’ Barrett and Keita ‘Bibi’ Stephens of Mister C.

Two-time champion Robert McKen faces his Eagles Strikers team-mate Gifford Willis, while Pattex MVP Dane Jones will cue-off against the veteran Clifford ‘Shakes’ Campbell of Rowe’s Strikers.

Former women’s singles champion Stacy-ann Miller of Starliners will meet Jeanna Richards of Eastern All-Stars in the battles of the ladies.

In the bottom half of the draw, 2010 winner and 2012 runner-up Winston ‘Wimpy’ Lyew of Eastern will play his teammate Camille Clarke, 2008 winner and 2010 beaten finalist.

In other match-ups, Fitzroy Blair of Eastern opposes Winston Jordon, Emmanuel Munda goes up against Sydney Carrington, Basil Kelly goes tackles Karyl Walker, Garfield ‘Milligram’ Samuels cues off against 2010 winner Everett Melbourne and Leslie ‘Toothpick’ Puranda will oppose Patrick Wallace.

The round of 32 matches will be the best-of-five games, but from the quarter-finals through to the final will be best-of-seven.

The eventaul champion will need to win 20 games to walk away with the top prize of $60,000 and the Sista trophy.

The runner-up will collect $30,000, third place $20,000 and fourth $10,000.

The fifth to 16th placed players will each collect $1,000.

There will be 16 games in the first round starting at 3:00 pm.