Big guns misfire in Daqing as O’Sullivan and Robertson make early exits in surprise defeats
Five-time world champion O’Sullivan loses to Michael Holt as Robertson is well beaten by Joe Perry
Two former world champions were dumped out in the third round of the big-money International Championship in Daqing, Heilongjiang province on Wednesday when Ronnie O’Sullivan and Neil Robertson were surprise losers.
O’Sullivan’s hopes of a season’s best showing were cut short by compatriot Michael Holt, who prevailed 6-4.
“I think the main thing about facing Ronnie is not letting him effect how you play,” Holt told WorldSnooker.com. “If you can do that then you’ve got a great chance.
“I’ve got Stuart Bingham next who will be tough as well. It doesn’t really bother me who I’m playing. I just have to go out there and play the balls, then hopefully I’ll win.”
Australian Robertson was a surprise casualty of Joe Perry going down 6-2 to the 42-year-old Englishman.
Tenth seed Perry will now face reigning world champion Mark Selby, who booked his place in the last eight with a hard-fought 6-5 win over China’s Liang Wenbo.
Elsewhere, Stuart Bingham overcame Ali Carter 6-1 to set up a quarter-final match with Holt.
Chinese number one Ding Junhui booked his place with a nervy 6-5 win over England’s Ricky Walden. He will face John Higgins who beat Zhou Yuelong of China 6-2.
Shaun Murphy will face Judd Trump, who defeated Sam Baird and James Wattana respectively.
