China Open 2014: Neil Robertson fights off virus to progress

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Australian snooker player Neil RobertsonImage source, Getty Images

An ill Neil Robertson described his 5-4 first-round victory over Anthony Hamilton at the China Open as "one of the greatest" wins of his career.

Struggling badly with a virus, the defending champion let slip a 4-2 lead in Beijing before a final-frame break of 57 secured his place in round two.

The Australian, 32, tweeted: "Possibly wouldn't have got on the plane had I known my virus was this bad."

Jimmy White, 51, is also through to the last 32, beating David Morris 5-2.

Graeme Dott, who like Robertson is a former world champion, is also through after a 5-4 victory over Rory McLeod, while Snooker Shoot-out champion Dominic Dale was a 5-3 victor over Jack Lisowski.

James Wattana whitewashed Mark Joyce 5-0, and Yu Delu, who beat Ronnie O'Sullivan at last week's Players' Championship Grand Final, ousted Chen Zifan 5-2 in the wildcard round.

China's Xiao Guodong put together a tournament-high 142 in his victory over Hammad Miah, with Nigel Bond, Thepchaiya Uh-Nooh,Jamie O'Neill, Mark King, Dechawat Poomjaeng, Mike Dunn and Alfie Burden also winning first-round games.

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