SHEFFIELD (UNITED KINGDOM) - Australia's Neil Robertson eased past Jamie Jones with a 10-2 win in the first round of the World Championship on Monday and then said his emphatic victory was reward for sustained hard work on the practice tables.
Australia's Neil Robertson (L) contemplates a shot during his World Snooker Championship first round match against Wales's Jamie Jones (R) at The Crucible in Sheffield on April 20, 2015
The 33-year-old, world champion in 2010, led 7-2 overnight and made clear his determination to avoid being dragged into a lengthy encounter with a break of 133 in Monday's first frame at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, northern England.
Robertson took the next two frames as well to complete a comfortable victory over his Welsh opponent.
The world number four was in dominant form throughout the match, 12 frames yielding three century breaks and three more contributions of over 50 each for the 'Thunder from Down Under'.
The Melbourne-born left-hander, who will face either one of the experienced duo of Ali Carter or Alan McManus in the last 16, said he had spent more time at practice in a bid to get the most out of his natural talent and add to a tally of 10 ranking titles.
"I have put the hours in for this event, more than any other in my career. I have even done more practice than (England's) Joe Perry, he has been leaving the club before me," Robertson told the World Snooker website.
"I have realised that I could have done more in the past. I wouldn't say I have under-achieved in my career, but if had made bigger sacrifices then I could have won more," he added.
"If my career ended now, I would be disappointed with what I have won. So I'm going to continue to work hard next season, and the one after that, to get the best out of my ability.
"Before I came here I potted around 300 balls in practice without missing. That's what Stephen Hendry used to do over spells of six or seven frames.
"Ronnie O'Sullivan is still the man to beat so it's up to the likes of myself, Mark Selby (who defeated O'Sullivan in last year's World Championship final) and Judd Trump to wrestle that away from him."
Meanwhile Barry Hawkins, the losing finalist in 2013, as he edged past Matthew Selt 10-9.
Hawkins was on the brink of victory at 9-4 only for Selt to win five frames in a row.
However, Hawkins held his nerve in the decider to book a place in the second round.