Jimmy Robertson says he is happy with how his game is developing at the moment and the hope is to get into a position to win tournaments on a regular basis. Robertson, who is currently ranked 38th in the world, is yet to break his tournament duck but recent performances have suggested this could all change this season. The Englishman defeated David John 5-0 in a qualifying match for the 2017 China Championship before recording a 4-2 win over compatriot Martin O’Donnell in a qualifying for the Riga Masters. However, despite making the main stage of the draw for the event in Latvia, the 31-year-old was forced to withdraw after his wife went into labour – the couple are expecting their second child. Robertson particularly impressed at the 2017 World Championships and he was unfortunate to exit at the first hurdle after giving world number 10 Mark Allen a real scare.
The Bexhill-on-Sea-born star lost 10-8 but a lot of confidence has been taken from that showing at the crucible, and he is aiming to push on in the rest of the campaign. “I think it very much is a case of taking it tournament by tournament,” Robertson said in an interview with worldsnooker.com. “On the basis of what I was saying before I would like to try to play well enough to be on TV more frequently. “I think that is very much a case of confidence. Like everyone my target is to be in the top 16 and winning tournaments, but you have to get there gradually and take it step by step.” Robertson is a huge 250/1 shot to win the 2018 World Championships whilst defending champion Mark Selby is the 7/2 favourite, ahead of 6/1 chance Judd Trump.