Neil Robertson delivered an impressive display to cruise into the second round of the World Championship in Sheffield with victory against Wu Yize on Sunday.
The Australian fashioned an overnight 6-3 lead over the Chinese debutant before rattling off a century, and then two brilliant 146 breaks – the highest in the tournament so far – as he completed a 10-3 win in just over an hour.
Robertson has flattered to deceive at the Crucible since his solitary title win in 2010, but his impressive first-round triumph over Wu will provide the 41-year-old with immense confidence heading into the remainder of the tournament.
“It was crazy, really,” said Robertson, who will now face Jak Jones in the last 16. Jones saw off Ali Carter 10-6 on Sunday. “I was able to be ultra-clinical and to make two 146 breaks was really nice. My preparation has been the best it has ever been – I have been practising twice a day – and that has played a massive part in my game.
“Where it leads, who knows? Hopefully I am still here in a couple of weeks, but if I am not, at least I have done everything right in my preparation.”
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Crucible newcomer Jak Jones made a century and two half-centuries in the closing session of his 10-6 win over two-time runner-up Ali Carter.
World No 52 Jones, who surprised Barry Hawkins in the qualifiers, always had the upper hand after resuming 5-4 up and made Carter pay for a simple missed blue in the 12th frame.
He then pinched a pivotal 14th frame on the colours, after the Englishman played a poor safety on the yellow, as he pulled clear to cause the first upset of the tournament and become the first qualifier to reach the second round.
Stuart Bingham earlier also made smooth progress into the second round by converting his overnight lead into a commanding triumph over David Gilbert.
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Former world champion Bingham set up a meeting with Mark Allen or Fan Zhengyi as he turned an overnight lead of 6-3 into a 10-4 result, maintaining a perfect record in 13 matches against his opponent.
Bingham had slipped 3-1 behind during Saturday’s play, but was dominant thereafter and wrapped up the four frames he needed with minimal fuss in the first session.
Having all but won the match, the 2015 champion was looking to end on a high as he sniffed a century break. However, he had to settle for a 98 as he failed to convert the final red from the cushion.
Luca Brecel won a thrilling first-round match, 10-9 against Ricky Walden. The Belgian ninth seed resumed 6-3 up and made two half centuries to move within a frame of victory at 9-6. However, it took a nerveless break of 84 to settle the contest after England’s Walden had raised the prospects of a remarkable turnaround by rattling in breaks of 73 and 91 as he reeled off three frames in a row.
Brecel will take on three-time champion Mark Williams or Jimmy Robertson in his next match.
