Robertson advances to World Championship second round as Higgins trails
Robertson is aiming to win his third Champion of Champions title (PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo)
World Championship favourite Neil Robertson made a winning start to his Crucible charge as he completed a 10-5 victory over debutant Ashley Hugill on Tuesday.
Robertson was joined in the second round at the Crucible by Stuart Bingham and Yan Bingtao, who overcame Lyu Haotian and Chris Wakelin respectively.
The 2010 World champion is a red-hot favourite to claim a second title having already captured a personal best of four trophies this season.
The Thunder endured a nervy start against debutant Hugill as he fell 3-1 behind on Monday, but reeled off five successive frames to take command at 6-3 up.
Robertson built on that momentum by winning the first three frames upon the resumption of play, but was punished for not converting opportunities in the next two; Hugill hitting breaks of 51 and 82 to stay alive.
However, the Australian eventually sealed the deal with a timely break of 109 setting up a second-round showdown with either Jack Lisowski or Matthew Stevens.
Six-time ranking finalist Lisowski hit back-to-back centuries on the way to opening a 6-3 lead over the two-time Crucible runner-up, who produced a brilliant 108 to stay in touch overnight.
But four-time champion John Higgins has work to do after falling 5-4 behind against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.
The Wizard hit breaks of 106 and 98 as he recovered from 4-2 down to level, but the Thai Rocket responded with 114 to edge his nose back in front.
Meanwhile, 2015 champion Bingham wrapped up a 10-5 win over Chinese qualifier Lyu, with runs of 66 and 68 along the way.
As for Yan, the former Masters winner produced a sublime scoring display to down Wakelin 10-6.
Indeed, the Tiger hit two centuries and a further nine breaks over 50 as he booked a date with reigning champion Mark Selby in round two.
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World Snooker Championship 2022 Results
Tuesday April 19
Round One
Yan Bingtao 10-6 Chris Wakelin
Neil Robertson 10-5 Ashley Hugill
Stuart Bingham 6-3 Lyu Haotian
John Higgins 4-5 Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
Jack Lisowski 6-3 Matthew Stevens