World Snooker Championship 2023: ‘Back with a vengeance’ – Alan McManus, Jimmy White impressed with Neil Robertson
Neil Robertson’s dominant win over Wu Yize in the first round of the World Championship made a big impression on Jimmy White and Alan McManus.
He knocked in two 146 breaks in the match to write himself into the history books.
World Championship
Robertson swats away Wu challenge with two 146 breaks to race into second round
7 HOURS AGO
It was a performance that marked him out as a contender for the title and impressed McManus, who had been waiting for that type of display for some time.
“I have been waiting for more than a year for a Tour Championship-winning performance from Neil Robertson,” McManus said in the Eurosport studio. “We have not seen it, he gave us it in that match.
“He is back with a vengeance.”
Robertson arrived in Sheffield with no recent form, and had some time off after missing out on the Tour Championship and Players Championship – events he won in 2022.
It handed him a chance to work hard on his game, and McManus feels it is paying off.
“He told Rachel (Casey) about his prep and he made good on it,” McManus said. “I think everyone at the Crucible and watching at home will be glad about that as he is a major contender.”
White was in the studio alongside McManus, and he too was impressed with how the Australian closed out the match.
Neil Robertson in action at the 2023 World Snooker Championship (WST)
Image credit: Other Agency
“It was fantastic stuff,” White said. “It shows how well he is cueing, how well he is scoring.
“He played today like a contender for the World Championship.”
Robertson praised Joe Perry for the help he had from his fellow title contender leading into the tournament, and White feels that level of preparation can only help.
Robertson misses maximum break, but makes rare 146
“Joe Perry has been a big help to Neil,” White said. “He is still a top player and still in this competition. He knows how good Neil Robertson is, and because of that time off he has got some pals to come and play – Stuart Bingham, other people have travelled to play Neil Robertson, Neil Robertson has travelled to play which he does not often do.
“Joe has been working in his corner. He is a big help as he is a friend and has told him what it is.”
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