Robert Milkins bids to build on most consistent season of his career
Published:Gloucestershire potter Robert ‘The Milkman’ Milkins has soared up the World Snooker rankings in recent months and he could cap a fine run of form with some memorable upsets at the Crucible.
Although he’s yet to advance past the last-16 of the World Championship in his career, world number 19 Milkins has shown in other events throughout 2012/2013 that he’s capable of beating the game’s elite players.
In qualifying for this year’s tournament Milkins dispatched of six-time runner-up Jimmy White by a 10-5 scoreline.
Holding his nerve to triumph in both sessions of their encounter, the 2012 World Open semi-finalist lead 6-3 at the interval before later adding the crucial four frames needed to clinch victory.
Those looking for a tempting each-way bet for the upcoming showpiece could do worse than plump for the 150/1 shot.
Not averse to making World Championship headlines, Milkins has twice recorded 147 breaks in the tournament.
They might have only been achieved at the preliminary stage, however his initial feat in 2006 made him the only man to score a maximum in qualifying.
However, it’s Milkins’ more contemporary exploits that make him worthy of attention.
A first round tie against 2010 champion Neil Robertson looks ominous. But with Robertson failing to get past the second stage in half of his eight attempts there is hope Milkins can find a chink in the Australian’s armour in an early encounter.
The Milkman has found a level of consistency this season, beating the likes of Judd Trump (twice), John Higgins and Mark Williams.
Reaching the quarter-finals of two ranking events, including February’s China Open during that sequence, he’s a difficult player to write off.
The in-form Robertson poses a massive first test at this year’s World Championship but Milkins’ burgeoning confidence could see him pull off one of the biggest tournament upsets in recent history.
