Australia's Robertson joins tributes for Hughes

Australia's Robertson joins tributes for Hughes

LONDON - Australia's Neil Robertson became the latest sports star to pay tribute to compatriot Phillip Hughes before coming back from the brink of defeat to remain in the hunt to retain his UK Championship title on Sunday.

After paying tribute to fellow Australian Phillip Hughers by bringing a cricket bat into the arena, snooker player Neil Robertson claimed a 6-5 victory against Kyren Wilson

Melbourne-born Robertson, a cricket fan who last season made an unprecedented century of centuries on the green baize, brought a bat into the arena along with his snooker cue for his second round match against Kyren Wilson at York's Barbican Centre.

Robertson was joining in the #PutOutYourBats global social media tribute to Australia batsman Hughes, who died on Thursday two days after being hit by a bouncer during a domestic match in Sydney.

"I noticed a lot of other Australian sportsmen doing it over the weekend," said Robertson of his bat gesture.

"It was nice to be able to pay tribute. It was a really good opportunity for me to do that and show my respect to him and his family.

"I guess it made me just a bit more motivated to stick in there and try to get the win today."

Robertson fell 5-4 behind to Wilson before winning the last two frames to claim a 6-5 victory that he ended with a break of 86.

The Australia rugby union team placed bats in front of their bench during Saturday's international against England at Twickenham.

Australia football captain Mile Jedinak and goalkeeper Adam Federici displayed their bats before playing for English clubs Crystal Palace and Reading, respectively.

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