World number seven Neil Robertson has suffered a shock exit from the Evergrande China Championship, while Stuart Bigham and Peter Ebdon also failed to advance beyond the first round. Australian Robertson, who is priced at 12/1 to win the World Championships, was one of the first to take to the tables as the ranking event got underway in Guangzhou, China on Wednesday, but he struggled to find his rhythm. The 35-year-old was expected to make easy work of China’s Li Hang, having beaten him on two of their three previous meetings.
However, the world number 58 claimed the first surprise victory of the tournament after edging a tight match 5-4. Meanwhile, Englishman Stuart Bingham also failed to progress beyond the opening round after failing to find a way past Yan Bingtao, who will now take on Scotland’s Stephen Maguire. Bingtao, ranked number 56 in the world, had only previously beaten the world number nine of one occasion back in 2014 but he prevailed 5-3 on home soil and will now face England’s Anthony Hamilton in the next round.
World number 25 Hamilton looked impressive as he settled into the tournament to beat compatriot Ebdon 5-3. English pair Barry Hawkins and Mark Joyce also sealed progression beyond the opening round with both claiming 5-2 victories over Oliver Lines and Anthony McGill respectively.
China Championship odds available at Dafabet.