Robertson out, O'Sullivan storms home at UK Champs

The Chinese hit breaks of 136, 134 and 99 on his way to a 6-2 victory in the evening session on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT), which saw Robertson lose early in a seventh ranking event so far this season.

The out-of-form Robertson, a three-time winner of the tournament, cleared 135 to level at 2-2 but the 41-year-old former world champion and former world No.1 from Melbourne was no match after that.

In recent months, Robertson has spoken candidly about suffering from homesickness and will take a short break from the game when he jets home next month to spend the festive season with his family for the first time since before his solitary world title win in 2010.

Earlier, Ronnie O'Sullivan reeled off six frames in a row to seal a 6-2 win over Anthony McGill.

The seven-time champion was back in action at the Barbican after withdrawing from the Champion of Champions event in Bolton a fortnight ago, due to being "mentally drained and stressed".

McGill took a 2-0 lead, thanks to a 116 break in the opening frame and a shock looked on the cards.

However, O'Sullivan took control, firing five half-centuries on his way to winning six frames in a row.

O'Sullivan, 47, who won his first title in Preston 30 years ago to the day, told the BBC: "You just get to the point where you think, 'I'll just keep going as long as I can'.

"I was at 35 and I was probably done and dusted because that is what happens.

"But I just appreciate every moment now, it feels like I have got a second life. I am a born-again snooker player.

"I do find the matches hard and long now ... you have to dig deep and out-battling players, it is hard at my age."

O'Sullivan will meet Robert Milkins in the next round after his compatriot claimed a final-set decider against Thai Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, while John Higgins also advanced by beating Joe O'Connor 6-3.

Australian Associated Press