Robertson’s Crucible shock

Former world champion’s comeback in vain as he loses to Milkins

Australia’s Neil Robertson became the fifth former champion to crash out in the opening round of the Betfred World Championship as he lost to Robert Milkins in Sheffield.

Robertson threatened to stage a comeback when he won the first two frames of the second session at the Crucible Theatre to reduce his deficit to 6-5.

But the off-form left-hander scored just 36 points in the next four frames as Milkins made breaks of 69, 55 and 54 to secure a 10-5 win and book his place in the last 16.

Milkins, who also beat Robertson in the first round in 2013, told the BBC: “This is the biggest out of the two.

“I can’t remember much about five years ago. I don’t think I played brilliant and I think Neil was a bit drained at that time. This time I put in a good performance, especially in the first session.”

Robertson joins former champions Mark Selby, Stuart Bingham, Graeme Dott and Shaun Murphy in making an early exit, a fate avoided by two-time winner Mark Williams and Scot John Higgins, the four-time champion.

Higgins beat Thepchaiya Un-nooh 10-7.

He took advantage of a nervous start from Thepchaiya to open up a 4-1 lead, before the Thai left-hander found some form, winning three of the first four frames of the evening session with two century breaks to make it 7-6.

Thepchaiya even had a 147 attempt, but failed with the final red.

However, Higgins kept his composure to see out victory with three wins from the next four frames.

The Scot told World Snooker: “I can play better, but really happy to come through.

“He brought it back to 7-6 and had a good chance to make it 7-7.

“Luckily for me he missed a couple near the end and I managed to capitalise.”

Higgins will next play Jack Lisowski, Bingham’s conqueror.

Williams produced a total clearance of 140 on his way to a 10-5 win over Jimmy Robertson.

The 43-year-old Welshman held a 7-2 lead after the first session, and was rarely troubled, throwing in a 100 break in frame 13 on his way to a last-16 clash with Milkins.

Judd Trump enjoys a 6-3 lead over Chris Wakelin in a match which concludes today, but it was Wakelin who produced the highlight of the contest with a break of 141, the highest of the championship so far.

The match between Scotland’s Anthony Mcgill and Ryan Day also continues today. Day holds a 6-3 lead.

Pictures: Pa/getty. Former world champion Neil Robertson, above, at the table in his match against Robert Milkins, top right; four-time winner John Higgins, who saw off Thepchaiya Un-nooh.