UK Championship snooker 2020 - Neil Robertson hits three 130-plus centuries in impressive showing

ByJames Walker-Roberts

Updated 28/11/2020 at 21:03 GMT

World No 3 Neil Robertson looked in fine form as he beat Chris Wakelin to reach the last 32 of the UK Championship. The Australian made three century breaks - 135, 130 and 135 - in a comfortable victory at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes. Defending champion Ding Junhui lost 6-5 to David Grace while Jimmy White was knocked out as he lost 6-1 to Zhou Yuelong.

Neil Robertson made three 130-plus breaks as he breezed into the last 32 of the UK Championship.

The two-time champion opened with back-to-back breaks of 135 and 130 before knocking in another 135 in the fourth frame as he beat Chris Wakelin 6-1.

Robertson will face Li Hang next after he won 6-3 against Zhao Xintong.

World Championship

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

17/04/2024 at 22:36

The world No 3 came flying out of the blocks at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes as he seized upon a missed red from Wakelin to made his 30th century of the season and 745th of his career.

Robertson opens up with classy century in opening frame against Wakelin

After a re-rack early in the second frame, Robertson knocked in another century to move 2-0 ahead.

Take advantage of our Black Friday Offer to make sure you don't miss a moment from the 2020 UK Championship

The Australian looked set for another big score in frame three but missed a pink with 51 left on the table.

Wakelin managed to get back to 66-64, but Robertson took the frame in fortuitous style as he hit the black off the bottom cushion and it went into the yellow pocket.

'Talk about rubbing salt into the wound!' - Robertson 'flukes' black to go three frames up

Another 135 put Robertson in complete control at the mid-session interval.

Wakelin managed to get on the board in impressive style after Robertson missed a green at 50-0 ahead in the fifth frame, clearing up to take it 80-50.

• O'Sullivan to make Masters return despite media concerns
• WST reveal plans for 1,000 fans per session at Masters
• UK Championship 2020 - Draw, schedule, results

But that was the highlight for Wakelin as Robertson responded with breaks of 89 and 72 to seal victory.

Defending champion Ding Junhui lost the last three frames as he was beaten 6-5 by David Grace.

Ding looked to be heading for the third round as he made five half-century breaks to open up a 5-3 lead.

But Grace, who made the semi-finals of the UK Championship in 2015, battled to an impressive win.

Zhou Yuelong also enjoyed a comfortable win as he made two centuries in a 6-1 win over Jimmy White.

SECOND ROUND

Saturday, 28 November

Afternoon (1pm)

• Ding Junhui 5-6 David Grace
• Luca Brecel 5-6 Xiao Guodong
• Jimmy White 1-6 Zhou Yuelong
• Lu Haotian 5-6 Anthony McGill
• Chen Zifan 6-5 Yan Bingtao
• Li Hang 6-3 Zhao Xintong
• Chris Wakelin 1-6 Neil Robertson
• Stephen Maguire 6-4 Stuart Carrington

Evening (7pm)

• Oliver Lines v Xu Si
• Chang Bingyu v Mark Allen
• Jak Jones v Simon Lichtenberg
• Gerard Greene v John Higgins
• Michael Holt v Hossein Vafaei
• David Glbert v Robert Milkins
• Barry Hawkins v Robbie Williams
• Judd Trump v Dominic Dale

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