Robertson hails 'open' championship

Australian Neil Robertson claims the Betfred.com World Championship is “more open than ever” this year.

Robertson took his place in the last 16 with a 10-2 victory over six-time winner Steve Davis.

When Davis won his world titles in the 1980s, there were barely half a dozen credible trophy contenders.

Similar rules applied in the 1990s, when Stephen Hendry won his seven titles.

However Robertson includes himself in a larger pack of players who can seriously challenge for the trophy this year.

Robertson said after yesterday’s demolition job on legend Davis: “It was always Hendry, Williams, Higgins, Ronnie, Ebdon, Doherty, those sorts of players.”