Robertson joins champs exodus

NEIL ROBERTSON became the latest world snooker champion to crash out at this year’s event, losing 10-5 to qualifier Robert Milkins. The 2010 winner joined Graeme Dott, Stuart Bingham, Shaun Murphy and defending champion Mark Selby in being beaten in the first round at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. World No 37 Milkins, who also beat Robertson in the first round in 2013, said: ‘This is the biggest out of the two. I can’t remember much about five years ago. I think Neil was a bit drained at that time. This time I put in a good performance, especially in the first session.’ Mark Williams was one former champion to make it through, seeing off Jimmy Robertson 10-5 to earn a second-round date with Milkins.