Nigel Bond beaten by Neil Robertson in Australian Open
Last updated on .From the section Snooker
Nigel Bond bowed out of the first round of the Australian Open in Bendigo with a 5-2 defeat against Neil Robertson.
Bond won the opening frame against the home favourite but Robertson compiled breaks of 42, 59 and 53 to win the next three frames and lead 3-1.
Robertson then took a scrappy fifth frame to move within one of victory.
Bond responded to cut the gap with a 43 - his best break of the match - but a 48 helped former world champion Robertson secure victory.
Robertson said: "This is my first time playing a professional ranking tournament in my country and I'm relieved to get through.
"I'm very tired and just wanted to get it over and done with.
"This match was always going to be tough and it would've been a disaster if all three Australians had gone out in the first two days [following defeats for Steve and James Mifsud].
"If I won this tournament it would boost the popularity of Australian snooker and the turn out for the first round was pretty good.
"Hopefully we can get some massive crowds and create a fantastic atmosphere for my next match."
