Australian underdog reaches Malta stages

Neil Robertson's tremendous run in the European Open reached a climax in midweek with a 5-1 defeat of Ian McCulloch, which saw the young Australian through to the final stages in Malta.

The 21-year-old from Melbourne conceded just five frames in his five qualifying matches - a superb record. He is now through to the first ranking event of his career.

"It's a great achievement for me to get through to Malta, especially having lost just five frames," said Robertson, who will face Ken Doherty in the last 32 next March.

"I've beaten some very good players - especially Mark Davis and Ian McCulloch."

Robertson won the World U-21 Championship in New Zealand in July with an 11-5 defeat of China's Liu Song in the final and is clearly a name for the future. He dropped off the Main Tour after a two-year spell from 2000 to 2002, but is now back thanks to a WPBSA concession.

"Winning the world U-21 has given me a boost, although the Main Tour is a much higher standard. It will be very tough to stay on the tour this season - you virtually have to blitz your way through," he said.

"But I've won eight of my last nine matches so I'm giving myself a chance."

Along with fellow Aussies Steve Mifsud and Johl Younger, Robertson lives in a house in Cambridge during the season.

Thailand's James Wattana scored another blow in his quest to return to the top 32 as he beat Ali Carter 5-4 in an excellent match. But, former world champion John Parrott gave up leads of 3-0 and 4-2 and succumbed to a 5-4 defeat against grinding Dubliner Fergal O'Brien.

On Wednesday, Robin Hull produced a devastating display of break-building at Pontin's to beat Stuart Bingham 5-1 and qualify for the final stages as well.

Bingham must have fancied his chances of booking a place in Malta in March when he knocked in a 116 in the first frame. But he was left in his chair for most of the match as Hull rattled in 101, 92 and 108 to finish the tie within 89 minutes.

Derby's David Roe came through a tense match vs Mark King 5-4.

"I had a lot of luck in the deciding frame," admitted veteran Roe, who won an invitation tournament in Malta in 1995 when he beat John Higgins in the semis and Tony Drago in the final.

"The reds were everywhere and I was stuck behind the yellow, so I just went for a hit-and-hope and somehow the white finished on the baulk cushion. Then I left Mark in a similar position and he left me a chance. I made a 46 which seemed like a 147.

"It's great to get through to Malta because the crowds and atmosphere there are always superb."

The first player to actually reach the Malta stages was Adrian Gunnell who beat Gerard Greene 5-4 in the penultimate round on Tuesday.

His qualifying match against Maltese favourite Drago has been held over to the venue.

European Open
(Finals - first round):

R. O'Sullivan vs M. Fu; M. Stevens vs C. Small; S. Davis vs J. Swail; S. Lee vs R. Hull; P. Ebdon vs S. Maguire; J. Perry vs D. Roe; G. Dott vs D. Henry; J. Higgins vs B. Pinches;

S. Hendry vs J. Michie; J. White vs J. Wattana; D. Gray vs F. O'Brien; K. Doherty vs N. Robertson; P. Hunter vs B. Morgan; A. McManus vs T. Drago or A. Gunnell; Q. Hann vs S. Bedford; M. Williams vs A. Hamilton.