Northern Ireland Open snooker 2021: 'I'm going to make changes' – Neil Robertson reveals plan to end world title drought

ByEurosport

Updated 13/10/2021 at 17:06 GMT

Neil Robertson admits he will need to change his approach to competing at the Crucible Theatre if he wants to claim a second world title. The 2010 world champion is showing signs of top form in Belfast with a 4-0 win over Xu Si seeing him into the last 32 of the Northern Ireland Open. He finished off with a 102 break and will face Ricky Walden on Thursday morning at the Waterfront Hall.

UK champion Neil Robertson has revealed he will no longer go it alone as he bids to end his 12-year title drought at the World Championship.

The 2010 world champion set up a last-32 meeting at the Northern Ireland Open on Thursday with three-times ranking event winner Ricky Walden courtesy of a 4-0 win over Xu Si that included a classy 102 break.

• Robertson crushes Xu, Murphy survives almighty scare
• Brilliant Trump thrashes Gao in faultless showing at Northern Ireland Open

World Championship

Robertson to miss first World Championship in 20 years after losing in qualifiers

17/04/2024 at 22:36

It is Robertson's first tournament since he lost 13-8 to Kyren Wilson in the last eight of the World Championship in April, a disappointing campaign after his victory at the Tour Championship with a 10-4 triumph over Ronnie O'Sullivan a month earlier.

The Melbourne man admits hitting form is not his main problem over 17 days at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Maintaining it is a different story.

"I was carrying my form through into the World Championship," said Robertson, whose best run at the event since winning it was a 17-15 defeat to Mark Selby in the 2014 World Championship semi-finals.

'It's been very lonely' - Trump on struggles without brother on tour

"Similar sort of pattern when I was leading 5-3 (against Kyren) in the first session, could possibly have been 6-2 up but Kyren never really went away for the whole match.

"It is very similar to the last four times I've lost in the quarter-finals when I'm playing these gritty guys who never go away.

There's a couple of changes I've been making. I get a lot of satisfaction out of winning tournaments myself, but maybe I've been too stubborn over the years because whenever I've done well I've had a couple of people there with me.

"Just to keep an eye on things and see how you are playing. That's a big change I'm making for sure to have an extra set of eyes on you so you are playing the matches the way you want to and not get dragged into playing other people's style of play.

"That's the most important thing that I think I realise. If I want to win more world titles then I can't just be there by myself.

"Kyren does it really well with his brother. So does Judd (Trump) and (Mark) Selby has his coach Chris Henry.

"It is just a tournament that is an exception to everything else. You just need a good support group around you."

- - -

Stream the Northern Ireland Open live and on demand on discovery+, the Eurosport app and eurosport.com.

Snooker

Trump and Baipat out as Selby and Kenna face Brecel and Evans in World Mixed Doubles final

31/03/2024 at 18:37

World Championship

Robertson and Lisowski among star names as draw made for World Championship qualifying

30/03/2024 at 20:23

Snooker

Brecel and Evans lead mixed doubles round robin with win over Trump and Baipat

31/03/2024 at 10:03