Robertson latest champion to exit

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Neil Robertson pots two reds at once

Neil Robertson became the fifth former champion to lose in the first round of this year’s World Championship as Michael Holt earned a shock 10-6 win.

Both men scored two tons in a high-quality morning session which ended with the qualifier leading 6-3.

Holt stayed in control, starting the evening with a 79 break and, after building a 9-4 lead, closed out victory despite some late jitters.

Mark Selby, another former champion, beat Robert Milkins 10-6.

But the 2014 winner had to show his trademark battling qualities to survive a determined comeback.

Robertson’s shock exit means he joins reigning title holder Stuart Bingham and previous winners Shaun Murphy, Graeme Dott and Peter Ebdon in falling at the first hurdle.

Four-time champion John Higgins had no such concerns. The Scot rattled off three frames in a row to finish off a crushing 10-3 victory over Welshman Ryan Day and set up a last-16 meeting with Ricky Walden.

Hitman shows his strength …

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