Robertson targets Crucible return

The Bexhill-based talent must win three matches at the qualifiers in order to repeat his achievement of 2011 in playing at the famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

Robertson, the world no.52, will begin his campaign at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffeld on Tuesday against 68th-ranked David Gilbert or 93rd-ranked Stuart Carrington, who will meet on Sunday.

Should Robertson successfully negotiate his opening assignment, he will progress to a clash with Mike Dunn, the world no.47 from Redcar, at the same times on Thursday.

And if he comes through that, Robertson will take on Fergal O’Brien, the world no.30 and 1999 British Open champion from Dublin, at the same times next Sunday.

Robertson’s appearance in the televised stage of the sport’s blue riband event last year was the first time he had made it through the qualifiers in a ranking event.

The 25-year-old was drawn against world number one Mark Selby at The Crucible and although he won the opening frame, he lost the next 10 as Selby cruised through 10-1.

See tomorrow’s Bexhill Observer for the full article.