Neil Robertson is showing that age and doubt can be defeated by focus and forward momentum, as he powers into the UK Championship last 16 with a calm, clinical edge that belies his years.
From dropping out of the world top 20 last year to rising back into contention, Robertson explains that a shift in mindset and a trusted team around him transformed his preparation and results.
Robert Robertson Extends Fine Run To Reach Last 16
The Australian, ranked third in the world, beat Belgium’s Julien Leclercq 6-2 in the opening round to advance, sealing the win with a 105 break that underscored his sharpness and left York buzzing about his form, with every safety and long pot landing neatly.
Leclercq battled back to 3-2, but Robertson reeled off the final three frames to seal his place in York’s last 16, showing patience in long, tactical exchanges and finishing with a precision that suggested his confidence is finally catching up with his talent, and the crowd could feel the momentum.
This season sits inside a broader comeback, with Robertson rising back into the top 20 ranks after missing the World Championship for the first time in 2024 and failing to qualify, the first time in twenty years, a stretch he says he finally outgrew by embracing a structured program.
“When I didn’t qualify for the World Championship, I thought I had to do something,” Robertson said.
Neil Robertson
Robertson credits the arrival of sports psychologist Helen Davis and the input from former top-10 coach Joe Perry for a transformation of his approach, bringing daily, weekly and monthly structure that fed into his strong run and steadier focus at the table, even when nerves prick, and he says the plan is now second nature.
He also says the team around him is not just a group of advisers but a daily sounding board that keeps his strategies clear when the pressure mounts, a factor he credits with reducing distractions in crucial frames.
Earlier in his career he treated the sport as a solo mission, but a broader view has sharpened his decision making and allowed more consistency across practice blocks, creating a sustainable path back to the top ranks.
Two-Time Champion Williams Advances And Keeps In The Hunt
Mark Williams, the two-time champion, beat David Gilbert 6-4 in York’s evening session to join Robertson in the last 16, recovering from a slow start and turning a tense moment into a surge of boundary breaks that shifted the frame balance.
The 50-year-old trapdoor in the opening frame was snapped by a 102 break, and Williams followed with stops of 51, 89 and 73 to move 5-2 ahead before Gilbert sparked a late rally, a string of scores including a coveted 100 break that kept the match alive.
However, Williams steadied and closed out the match 6-4, setting up a potential last-16 clash against either China’s Xiao Guodong or Pang Junxu, a reminder that the field remains wide open as York unfolds.
Wu Yize And A New Wave Of Chinese Talent Reach The Last 16
Wu Yize, the 22-year-old who already claimed the International Championship in China this month, surged into the last 16 after a 6-4 win over Michael Holt, building a 5-0 lead before Holt rallied briefly.
Wu’s smooth craft continued as Si Jiahui had already stunned Ryan Day, signaling a growing Chinese presence in York and a fresh wave of talent challenging established names.
China had twelve players in York, and Wu’s progress made him the second to reach the last 16, reinforcing a broader shift in snooker’s global balance.
Robertson’s resurgence puts him back among automatic qualifiers for the season’s major events, a reminder that perseverance and a strong support network can outpace time and the odds.
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