World Grand Prix: Neil Robertson out with Ronnie O’Sullivan leading

Defending champion Neil Robertson was knocked out in the first round of the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong after being beaten 5-1 by Jack Jones.

Robertson, ranked third in the world, entered the tournament in good shape after reaching the semi-finals in the German Masters Championship last week, but he failed to maintain his momentum in the confrontation with Jones.

Robertson started well with a break of 46, but a missed red shot gave the lead to Jones, who went on to lead 2-0.

A break of 88 saw Robertson briefly come back to win the third frame, but Jones then took control, winning the next three to easily advance to the second round.

The match was played in Hong Kong just three and a half days after Robertson’s 6-1 defeat to Shaun Murphy in Berlin, with the Australian looking frustrated throughout.

Jones, a former World Championship finalist, will play Zhou Yuelong in the second round on Thursday.

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan joined Jones in the second round after recovering from a slow start to beat Joe O’Connor 5-3.

After fighting back from a 2-0 deficit, O’Sullivan leveled the match before losing the fifth frame to fall behind again.

But two breaks of 72 put O’Sullivan ahead 4-3, before he rounded off the match with a stunning cut of the pink.

O’Sullivan will take on Xiao Guodong in the second round on Thursday as he continues his quest for a record-extending 42nd title.