Neil Robertson is facing a substantial fine for conceding a frame prematurely during his World Snooker Championship first round match against Pang Junxu. The Australian, a former Crucible champion, mistakenly ended the second frame early due to an error in his calculations, despite still having a chance to win without needing snookers.
Conceding frames is allowed in snooker, with a standard £250 fine and a warning from the referee. However, Robertson’s prior fines this season escalate the penalty to £2,000. Another similar error could result in a £10,000 fine for the player.
Referee Terry Camilleri alerted Robertson to his mistake, prompting him to realize his error. Commentators quickly noticed the miscalculation, with Ken Doherty expressing surprise at Robertson’s uncharacteristic blunder.
Despite the blunder, Robertson managed to secure a 10-6 victory over Junxu and advance to the quarter-finals where he will face John Higgins. Robertson expressed relief at avoiding a match against Ronnie O’Sullivan, criticizing O’Sullivan’s use of chalk on the table and suggesting it should be banned.
Robertson’s comments on O’Sullivan’s chalk usage sparked a debate in the snooker community, with many players disapproving of the practice. Despite the controversy, Robertson remains focused on his tournament goals and is determined to continue his successful run at the championship.