NEIL ROBERTSON has followed Ronnie O’Sullivan in pulling out of the Wuhan Open.
The snooker star will not be taking part in the competition just days after winning the Saudi Snooker Masters against The Rocket.
GettyNeil Robertson has withdrawn from the Wuhan Open after winning the Saudi Snooker Masters[/caption]
Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew yesterday after losing last weekend in the Middle East to RobertsonGetty
Robertson defeated O’Sullivan in a thrilling 10-9 battle last weekend.
But he will not be going ahead with his latest appearance in China.
Ryan Day has also withdrawn from the Wuhan Open.
And neither player will be replaced, meaning Reanne Evans and Jack Lisowski both receive byes to the last 32.
Robertson’s decision comes just a day after O’Sullivan pulled out of the same competition for medical reasons.
The ace had already missed numerous tournaments this year on medical grounds.
He had been billed to play Alan Taylor on Sunday but has now been replaced by Umut Dikme.
The decision throws O’Sullivan’s participation at September’s British Open into doubt.
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He is scheduled to face Sanderson Lam on September 22 in his first game.
But The Rocket insists he has no plans to retire any time soon.
He said: “I’ve always said I’d be the first to let you know when I’m done, finished or gone or whatever it is.
“I was getting written off in 2012 and I played probably my best snooker when I won the World Championship.
“I did say then: ‘Don’t ever question me. I’ll let you know when I’m done.’
“I’m not done. I’m not definitely on a downward curve.
“At my age playing these youngsters, they’re some fantastic players, I’m never going to win like I used to.
“I’m never going to be the favourite for the tournaments. It’s going to be Kyren Wilson, Judd Trump and Zhao Xintong.
“I’m in that bracket behind where if I play well, I’ve got a chance.
“Maybe rely on one of the top guys to not play well or get beaten. Anything can happen, you know.”
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