Chris Wakelin produced an early shock at the World Snooker Championship to knock out Neil Robertson – and Ronnie O’Sullivan believes it’s ‘only a matter of time’ before the Englishman wins a major tournament.
On a thrilling night of action at the Crucible, both Robertson and Barry Hawkins suffered first-round exits, losing to Wakelin and Hossein Vafaei respectively.
Robertson, the 2010 champion, trailed 7-2 after a one-sided first session before winning five games on the trot in a spirited fightback to make it all square and set up a nail-biting finish.
However, Wakelin rediscovered his composure to come out on top after an absorbing final frame in front of a transfixed Sheffield crowd.
It is Wakelin’s first win at the championship at the fourth time of trying. The 33-year-old will do battle with either Fan Zhengyi or Mark Allen for a place in the quarter-finals.
‘Neil played unbelievable to get back to 7-7,’ Wakelin said after his victory to reach the last 16.
‘I didn’t expect him to roll over, he’s a true champion. I managed to fall over the line, but it’s really difficult out there. I’ve had an amazing season, but to do well here this week would be incredible.’
Analysing the match from the TNT Sports studio, O’Sullivan heaped praise on Wakelin for staying strong and ‘holding himself together’ after surrendering such an imperious lead.
‘I know coming out for the final session that Wakelin will play better and he did,’ O’Sullivan said.
Neil didn’t play bad but it’s just the way it is at the Crucible, when it gets a bit nervy you’re going to miss a few balls.
‘But I thought Chris held himself together well, giving up that big lead and he’s done very good there at the end.’
The Rocket believes Robertson will have known he was in for a serious fight when handed ‘one of the most difficult’ first-round contests against Wakelin.
‘He [Wakelin] should have been a seed really. He’s played well all season, got to the final and he’s had a lot of good results,’ O’Sullivan added.
‘I think it’s only a matter of time before he wins a tournament, so for someone like Neil Robertson, that would have been one of the most difficult first-round draws.
‘You know Chris Wakelin is going to come in, he’s going to fancy a job against anybody and that’s probably 70 per cent of the battle of doing well with anything in any sport. Tough match with Neil Robertson but he’s played well, Chris.’
Alan McManus said Wakelin deserved great credit for the way he reacted after ‘panicking’ and throwing away such a big lead.
Asked what happened to Wakelin after his strong start, McManus replied: ‘In a word: panicked. That’s basically what happened.
‘You’re 7-2 in front against one of the fancied players in this tournament, you’re feeling cock-a-hoop about the way your games has being going.
‘He had a lovely first session and he won the last of it to go 7-2. You punch the air, you think your halfway home… you’re still a long, long way from home.
‘Neil, to his credit, came out tonight trying to be firing. He was aggressive, he went for his shots, he tried to win frames in one hit.
‘But he didn’t in the main and that’s why he has fallen victim to Chris Wakelin.’
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