Robertson begins Open defence with comfortable win over Lines
DEFENDING champion Neil Robertson made a confident start to the Scottish Open with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Peter Lines.
The 36-year-old Australian, who produced a stunning comeback from 8-4 down to win in a 17th-frame decider in last year’s final against Cao Yupeng, rattled in three half-century breaks to see off the Englishman and set up a second-round clash with Ross Muir.
“I think earlier on in my career when I first started winning tournaments it takes a little while to get used to the mindset of being defending champion,” said Robertson, “but now, especially because we’ve got so many tournaments, it’s on to the next one and you don’t have much time to think about it.”
Martin O’Donnell and Stephen Maguire, who were both quarter-finalists at last week’s UK Championship, had contrasting first-round matches with the former winning 4-1 against Chris Wakelin, while Scot Maguire suffered a shock 4-1 loss to world No.98 Billy Joe Castle.
Ding Junhui was in terrific form as he hit two half-centuries and two centuries, including a match-sealing break of 134, in a one-sided 4-0 triumph over fellow Chinese cueman Niu Zhuang.
Ali Carter eased past Luo Honghao 4-0, while Marco Fu needed a finalframe decider against Chen Zifan to advance to the second round at the Emirates Arena.
Ronnie O’Sullivan, however, will not be taking part in the Glasgow event. O’Sullivan pulled out of the competition following his record-breaking seventh UK Championship title on Sunday evening, where he defeated Mark Allen 10-6 at the Barbican Centre in York.
Robertson said: “I don’t think it’s right you play a UK Championship final then two days later have to play another event.”