Neil Robertson (7/2 Fav World Championship Outright) admits winning the Betfred World Snooker Championship would be the perfect end to an “unbelievable” 2021-22 season.
The Australian arrives in Sheffield having won four times in the campaign to date, opening his account at the English Open before taking out the impressive trio of the Masters, Players Championship and Tour Championship.
A win at The Crucible would further boost his confidence but he has failed to produce his best form in Sheffield over recent years.
Robertson has reached the semi-finals just once since winning his only world title in 2010, crashing out in the quarter-finals in each of the last three seasons.
The 40-year-old begins his campaign on Monday against experienced qualifier Ashley Hugill, the 27-year-old Yorkshireman who is making his debut in the last 32 of the tournament.
Betfred World Snooker Championship Odds
The odds are stacked in Robertson’s favour as he installed at 1/33 to Hughill’s 12/1 but the tournament favourite is taking nothing for granted, having lost their last meeting 5-1, albeit back in December 2015.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, the Melbourne Machine has admitted it would be the “cherry on top of the cake” to walk away with a second world title.
“I have got a debutant, but he is a very experienced player,” Robertson told The Yorkshire Post. “Sometimes you can play a debutant, maybe early 20s who hasn’t really experienced too much before.
“I am really looking forward to getting out there. It’s been a brilliant season for me.
“Having a successful championship would be like putting the cherry on the top of the cake.
“I have had an unbelievable year, and whatever happens here it will certainly go down as my best ever season.”
