Snooker’s World Championship got off to a stunning start at the Crucible late Saturday with the defeat of the defending champion Neil Robertson.

The Australian lost 10-8 to the fast-rising Judd Trump, of England, who clinched victory with a break of 83 in the 18th frame.

Trump will now play either Martin Gould or Marco Fu in the last 16 and a similar performance could see him go a long way in the next two weeks.

For Robertson it will be said that the ‘Crucible curse’ has struck again, with another first-time winner failing to defend his title.

No player has won their first two world titles in consecutive years in Sheffield. Robertson becomes the first defending champion to lose in the first round since Graeme Dott tumbled out to Ian McCulloch in 2007.

Defeating Robertson at the venue where the Australian triumphed last May takes the youngster’s career to another level. He claimed he would be under no pressure and would be relaxed, having achieved his ambitions for the season prior to heading to the Crucible by winning a title and making his place in the top 16 safe.

And aside from some early jittery form, Trump was true to his word leading 5-4 after the morning session. The finishing line was in sight for Trump when he surged 53-0 clear in frame 17 leading 9-7, but Robertson was not finished.

Trump ran out of position,Robertson closed the gap to 16 points after a fluked red gave him a starter, and when a second chance came along he took it to go 9-8.

Other players might have panicked, but Trump seized on an early opportunity in the next frame and made a rapid-fire break to settle the outcome.

Other results: Murphy bt Campbell 10-1; Cope bt Pagett 10-7.