Neil Robertson enjoys strong start to Championship League snooker, John Higgins hits 141 break

Neil Robertson, Xiao Guodong and Matthew Selt set the pace after the first day of Championship League Group Five in Leicester.

Robertson rolled in breaks of 139 and 122 in finishing with three wins from four matches against Robert Milkins (3-0), David Gilbert (3-0) and John Higgins (3-2).

The 2010 world champion lost 3-1 to Xiao Guodong, who took his place in the seven-man group after Mark Selby withdrew.

Xiao joined Robertson on three points after wins over Higgins (3-1) and Noppon Saengkham (3-2), who replaced Mark Williams, with his only defeat coming against David Gilbert (3-2)

Xiao top scored with knocks of 131, 122 and 102 as 2022 Turkish Masters finalist Matthew Selt matched his century tall with 127, 108 and 101 in ending his day with three wins from three.

Selt defeated David Gilbert (3-0), Noppon Saengkham (3-1) and Robert Milkins (3-0) as he bids to reach the semi-finals of the non-ranking event on Wednesday evening.

Higgins enjoyed the highest break of the day with a 141 in his loss to Xiao. The four-time world champion completed his solitary win in three matches against Noppon (3-1).

The top four players in the section progress to the group play-offs with the group champion progressing to the winners’ group.

The four other leading players in Group Five qualify for Group Six on Thursday when Zhou Yuelong, Luca Brecel and Anthony McGill join the action.

The bottom two players in each group are eliminated. Group Five continues at 11am GMT on Wednesday morning.

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