3 minute read
Australia's Neil Robertson has a 6-3 advantage after the opening session of his first-round World Snooker Championship match.
Australian ace Neil Robertson has made a solid start to his bid for a second World Snooker Championship crown.
Robertson, who claimed the title in 2010, leads 6-3 after the first session of his first-round match against Englishman Ashley Hugill.
The world No.3 from Melbourne is one of the favourites to add another world championship to his decorated list of achievements.
"You can't really win a match in one session so you've got to be patient and stay focused," Robertson told Eurosport in a pre-tournament interview.
"Personally that's going to be my extra focus this year because it is something I probably haven't done for a few years."
Northern Ireland's Mark Allen will play six-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan after grinding his way to a 10-6 success against Scott Donaldson.
Allen was far from his best in a scrappy encounter but built on a 5-4 first-session lead to secure his place in the last 16.
Former world champion Stuart Bingham compiled the biggest break of the tournament in establishing a 6-3 overnight lead against China's Lyu Haotian.
Bingham, known as one of the game's great break builders, produced a 140 clearance in the eighth frame.
Three-time Crucible champion Mark Williams advanced to round two with a 10-3 victory over fellow Welshman Michael White and he will now face another compatriot in Jackson Page.
- with PA