Robertson became the fifth former champion to crash out in the opening round of the Betfred World Championship.

Ronnie O'Sullivan bowed out of the Scottish Open, losing 5-2 to quarter-final opponent John Higgins in Glasgow.

World number one Mark Selby held off a spirited fightback from Robert Milkins to secure his passage through to the second round of the Betfred World Championship.

Crucible thoroughbreds John Higgins and Graeme Dott led the Scottish charge on Sunday at the Betfred World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s rookie World Championship opponent fears Crucible humiliation before he even plays his first shot against the five-time winner.

Mark Williams claimed his first victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan in a ranking event for 12 years at the International Championship in China.

Ronnie O'Sullivan marks his 38th birthday today with a UK Championship quarter-final appearance - but any celebrations will be reserved for if he beats Stuart Bingham.

Ronnie O’Sullivan powered through to the quarter-finals of the Betfair World Championship tonight, but admitted he already feels worn out.

Ronnie O’Sullivan was today bidding to maintain his impeccable record against Ali Carter as last year’s finalists reached the climax of their second-round clash at the Betfair World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan returns to the Crucible today after a week in which many pretenders to his crown have fallen at the first hurdle.

Stephen Maguire admitted he could not cope with the bizarre antics of Dechawat Poomjaeng as the world number 70 and 500-1 title long shot caused a stunning upset on his debut at the Betfair World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan will begin the defence of his Betfair World Championship title against Scotland’s Marcus Campbell.

Jimmy White is one win away from the Crucible after surviving his second qualifying match for the Betfair World Championship.

John Higgins and defending champion Peter Ebdon both crashed out of the Bank of Beijing China Open in the first round today.

Fourth seed Mark Williams was dumped out of the International Championship at the first round stage today as Mark Davis produced an impressive performance in Chengdu.

John Higgins suffered a shock 6-3 defeat against home favourite Cao Yupeng in the first round of the International Championship in Chengdu, China today.

Six-time champion Steve Davis has failed to qualify for the Betfred.com World Championship in Sheffield.

It’s been Ireland’s best kept sporting secret but from tomorrow through to Sunday, snooker’s version of the Champions League final takes place in Galway — and over 40 million people will tune in to watch it.

World champion John Higgins dumped snooker's new sensation Judd Trump out of the Partypoker.com Snooker Shoot-Out in Blackpool last night.

Stephen Hendry was poised to lose his place in the world’s top 16 after defeat by Robert Milkins in the first round of the Shanghai Masters.

Ronnie O'Sullivan's miserable run continued today as he was eliminated from the Bank of Beijing China Open at the first-round stage.

World number one John Higgins has withdrawn from the German Masters in Berlin following the death of his father.

Veteran Nigel Bond proved himself a champion sprinter as he triumphed at the Snooker Shoot-Out in Blackpool tonight.

RISING Irish snooker talent Davy Morris has finally qualified for a ranking tournament after three years as a professional.

Ken Doherty came from 3-1 and 4-2 down to beat Mohammad Sajjad 5-4 and avoid an embarrassing first-round exit in the Shanghai Masters.

Andrew Higginson romped to a 5-0 win over Li Yan in the Wildcard round of the Sanyuan Foods China Open to set up a first-round clash with Stephen Hendry.

Ronnie O’Sullivan fended off a determined challenge from Fergal O’Brien to secure a first-round victory at the Bank of Beijing China Open.

Defending champion Stephen Maguire was sent crashing out of the Bank of Beijing China Open at the first hurdle today by Dave Harold.

Robert Milkins qualified for today’s first round proper of the China Open, upsetting Joe Swail with a 5-4 victory.

Ken Doherty has gone 7-1 up against Mike Dunne at the midway point of the second round of the UK championship.

Dave Harold has the ideal opportunity to remind snooker fans he is still around when he plays Stephen Hendry in the second round of the Maplin UK Championship on Saturday.

Jamie Cope will lock horns with Neil Robertson in this year’s Royal London Watches Grand Prix final.

KEN DOHERTY was sent toppling out of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix last night after an unexpected defeat to Joe Perry.

World champion Graeme Dott could not hide his frustration after failing to qualify for the last 16 of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix.

Stephen Hendry has crashed out of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Aberdeen after his third successive defeat.

Last season’s Crucible finalist Peter Ebdon had little to smile about this afternoon after he was surprisingly dumped out of the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast this afternoon.

Ireland's Ken Doherty in action in the third round of the Welsh Open at the Newport Centre today.

Ryan Day made short work of an out-of-sorts Jimmy White to blast into the third round of the Welsh Open at the Newport Centre.

Judd Trump, the youngest ever qualifier for the final stages of a ranking event, was beaten 5-3 by Gloucester’s Robert Milkins in the first round of the Welsh Open at Newport tonight.

Neil Robertson will be aiming to restore pride in Australian snooker when he takes centre stage on the opening day of the Welsh Open in Newport tonight.

Stephen Maguire is hoping Portomaso’s luxurious Hilton hotel and conference centre triggers some happy memories as he struggles to regain the form which won him the Malta Cup two years ago.

World number four Matthew Stevens became the highest-ranked casualty of the Travis Perkins UK Championship so far when trounced 9-3 by Stuart Bingham in York today.

Chinese rising star Ding Junhui showed he is ready to become a major contender for snooker’s top prizes by cruising into the second round of the Travis Perkins UK Championship in York.

SHAUN MURPHY created the biggest shock of this year’s Embassy World Championship so far when he produced a stunning performance to defeat John Higgins 13-8 in Sheffield.

Maximum man Mark Williams faces a battle to keep alive his hopes of a third Embassy World Championship title after falling behind second-round opponent Ian McCulloch in Sheffield today.

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry are rarely overshadowed at the Embassy World Championship but they have so far been upstaged by Mark Williams.

Stephen Hendry has lost just two frames en route to the China Open semi-finals but his opponent in the last four is looking forward to playing him.

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN faces the toughest possible start to his defence of the Embassy world title next month.

Adopted Yorkshireman Shaun Murphy is hoping ‘home’ advantage will help him break his duck at the Embassy World Championship next month.

Matthew Stevens threw himself a lifeline by winning the last two frames of the opening session to prevent Ronnie O’Sullivan from running away with the Failte Ireland Irish Masters final in Dublin today.