Robertson downs Dott in one-sided match

The World Snooker Open kicked off with reigning world champion Neil Robertson prevailing comfortably over Scotland’s Graeme Dott 3-1. The Australian and world number three faced little difficulty in brushing aside the former world champion in Glasgow as he took the first frame.

Dott fought back to level 1-1, but it was Robertson, who took the next two frames to win the best of five encounter to cement his place in the last-32.

“I’ve never been world number one yet so that’s a big goal and in May I’ll be defending my world title. Few players have done that so I’d love to do it,” said Robertson.

In another match, England’s Ali Carter also won his match by the same margin. The world number two beat Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, who was one of 21 players to come through two qualifying rounds.

Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry - without a ranking title since 2005 – will take on Belgian Bjorn Haneveer, the world number 60 today.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2010.