NEIL ROBERTSON got his 2019 Betway UK Championship at York Barbican off to an ideal start with a 6-0 win over Alex Borg.

The Australian star - a two-time winner of the competition - eased past his opposition from Malta with four breaks of more than 50.

Frame one concluded in a 65-45 victory for Robertson, pictured, but after that it was plain sailing. He claimed the next two without conceding a point with 81 breaks both times before racking up a 107 in the 113-1 fourth-frame win.

The final two frames ended 100-4 and 111-16.

Among those joining him in the second round are Ali Carter, Li Hang and Lu Ning, who beat Brandon Sargeant (6-0), Jamie Clarke (6-1) and Joe O'Connor (6-0), respectively.

Meanwhile, the Championship sponsor Betway has pledged to donate £10,000 to World Snooker’s official charity Jessie May Children’s Hospice At Home – if there are 100 century breaks made during the tournament.

The donation will also be triggered if there is a maximum 147 break made during the 12-day tournament at the York Barbican.

For more information on Jessie May, see www.jessiemay.org.uk