Steve Douglas (Eng) bt Gary Robson (Eng) 3-0

Gillingham giant-killer Douglas fells Big Robbo

Kent left-hander Steve Douglas marched into the last 16, toppling fifth seed Gary “Big Robbo” Robson 3-1.

Precision finishing steered the Gillingham player to a shock 39-minute success over Robson, who enjoyed an impressive run to the quarter finals 12 months ago but failed to reproduce that form.

The Gillingham player shocked the fifth seed, battling back from 1-0 down to take the opening set 3-1 after Big Robbo failed to press home the throwing advantage.

Robson edged 2-1 ahead in the next set but determined Douglas swept back, taking back-to-back legs to claim a surprise 2-0 match lead.

The player from Northumberland who uses a hypnotherapist to help him focus on his game had lapses in concentration and grimaced, openly displaying his frustration as he desperately tried to find his top form on the sport’s most famous oche.

Douglas sprinted into the third set after a short break in the match, wiring bull for the game’s top finish of 170 and then narrowly missing double 10 for a show-stopping 137 finish, as he moved into a 2-0 leg lead.

Robson had an opportunity to steal the third leg but failed to press home the advantage as confident Douglas nervously missed double tops but recovered to book his place in the second round with double 10.