National & International

Neil Robertson beaten by Joe Perry in first round

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World number two Neil Robertson has been knocked out in the UK Championship first round by qualifier Joe Perry, according to BBC News.

Perry, at 48 the second oldest player in the draw after 60-year-old Jimmy White, swept to a 6-2 victory in York.

The Englishman won the first frame with a 102 break and Australian Robertson was trailing 4-0 before he could pull one back.

Perry took only his second ranking title when he won the Welsh Open in March.

It was the second shock of the tournament after last year’s champion Zhao Xintong was beaten by Sam Craigie on Saturday.

Masters champion Robertson was struggling with illness, but said there were no excuses for the defeat.

“Joe played really well in the balls, I’d have to be at my absolute best to win today,” Robertson, a three-time UK Championship winner, told BBC 5 Live.

Perry, who will play the winner of Stuart Bingham’s match against Liam Highfield in the last 16, was pleased to continue his fine form after thrashing Graeme Dott 6-0 in qualifying.

“Even after all these years I’m still learning, you can’t play perfectly all the time and just get on with it,” he said.

Last year’s beaten finalist Luca Brecel defeated Lyu Haotian 6-4.

The Belgian will meet John Higgins or Tom Ford, who play on Sunday evening.

Image source: BBC News

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