Neil Robertson ousts Nigel Bond to set up Dominic Dale clash: 2011 Australian Goldfields Open
Home favourite Neil Robertson has made it to the second round of 2011 Australian Goldfields Open, where he will meet Welshman Dominic Dale, after he beat Nigel Bond in round one by 5-2. The Aussie
has managed to keep home-hopes alive so far with his scintillating performance and must be looking forward to crown his country with event title.
The former world snooker champion had the match in his hands from the beginning and didn’t let his opponent take any chances to unsettle him. The 29-year-old Robertson had home support at the Bendigo
Stadium arena in Victoria that boosted confidence in his cue and he played terrifically to move into the second round of the tournament.
Robertson spoke to the reporters after his victory, “This is my first time playing a professional ranking tournament in my country and I'm relieved to get through. I'm very tired and just wanted to
get it over and done with. This match was always going to be tough and it would've been a disaster if all three Australians had gone out in the first two days.”
The Thunder from Down Under added, “I'm absolutely shattered and some of these players were in Wuxi (China), then Bangkok then here. If I won this tournament it would boost the popularity of Australian
snooker and the turn out for the first round was pretty good.”
Robertson will next meet the Welshman Dominic Dale in his second round clash at the Bendigo Stadium in Victoria on Wednesday, July 20. Dale reached the second round beating Robertson’s partner in
World Cup Snooker
Steve Mifsud in the first round by 5-2. Dale was supposed to face Ronnie O’Sullivan in round one but since O’Sullivan pulled out, he had to play Mifsud instead.
The Victoria-based potter is aiming to grab the title of first ever major ranking event in Australia. His chances are bright, as many big guns of snooker like John Higgins, Judd Trump and Ali Carter
have crashed out of the tournament.
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