ALAN McMANUS ended the title reign of Neil Robertson at the Gdynia Open, knocking the world no.1 out at the second round stage on Saturday.
Robertson had won the last two PTC events staged in Poland but was beaten 4-3 by McManus in the last 64 after an entertaining, high quality contest.
McManus went 3-1 up with a break of 125 in the fourth frame before Robertson put together back-to-back centuries of 112 – all reds and blacks until he missed a tricky red to the yellow pocket – and 100, to take his tally of tons for the season to 80.
That ensured a decider but McManus got in early, potting a red and splitting the pack before making 67 to ensure Robertson could only tie. And the Scot, who won the Masters at Wembley 20 years ago, got in again to advance to the last 32, where he beat fellow Glaswegian Graeme Dott 4-1 to book his place in the last 16 on Sunday.
Rod Lawler, a semi-finalist in the German Masters a week ago, continued his good recent run of form by winning three matches for the loss of just two frames to secure a last 16 place.
The tournament, which comes to a climax on Sunday night, is worth €25,000 to the eventual winner.
Photographs by Monique Limbos