Robertson Leads In Wales
Neil Robertson will carry a two-frame advantage into the final session of the ManBetX Welsh Open, leading Stuart Bingham 5-3.
Robertson requires just four more frames to claim the Ray Reardon trophy. The pair will return at 7pm tonight and play out the remainder of the best of 17 frame encounter.
Both players are seeking to win the Welsh Open title for a second time this evening. Robertson lifted the trophy in 2007 by defeating Andrew Higginson, while Bingham was the champion in Cardiff in 2017 after a win against Judd Trump.
That means Bingham is defending his prize money from 2017 in the rolling two-year world rankings. The world number 12 needs to claim the £70,000 top prize to avoid dropping to 14th. Victory for Robertson would see him surpass £4 million in prize money for his career.
This afternoon’s exchanges produced some nervy snooker, with both players spurning opportunities. However, it was Robertson who settled best. Breaks of 71 and 69 helped him to a 3-1 lead at the mid-session interval.
The Australian edged further in front after the break, composing a run of 72 to make it 4-1. However, from there Bingham dug deep to escape the session still in touch. He claimed two of the final three frames of the session, including a break of 102 to sign off for the afternoon, and made it 5-3.