The Hindu : Sport / Billiards & Snooker : Robertson in the lead

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Tuesday, May 04, 2010
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Robertson in the lead

SHEFFIELD: Australia's Neil Robertson battled back from 3-5 down to open up a 9-7 lead over Scotland's Graeme Dott after the first day of the World snooker championship final on Sunday.

But the Crucible showdown was overshadowed by the bribe allegations surrounding World No. 1 John Higgins.

Higgins, last year's World champion, was suspended on Sunday following newspaper allegations that he and manager Pat Mooney, who also acts as Dott's business advisor, struck a deal to rig frames in return for financial reward.

Although Higgins has protested his innocence, the snooker world was rocked by the claims.

Dott had a break of 80 in the opening frame. He also took two of the next three before Robertson levelled at 3-3 but Dott edged the last two frames to lead 5-3 after the opening session of the best-of-35.

Robertson hit back in the evening session with breaks of 61, 90 and 79.

Dott eventually scrambled his way back to 7-8 but fluffied a swerve shot in the final frame.

The mistake allowed Robertson to return to the table and clinch a 9-7 overnight lead. — AFP

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