World No 5 Hunter, who has lost his top 16 ranking and won't know until later in the championship whether he stays in the top 32, was diagnosed with cancer just over a year ago.

"To be honest, I'm probably worse now than I was when I played here 12 months ago. It's a 24-7 situation now with pains in my side. I also felt sick and light-headed in the heat of the auditorium and that's why I kept wiping my brow.

"I've kept playing this season to try and hold on to my ranking and it's been a real struggle," added Hunter, who has won only a single match in the past eight months. "I'm having more chemotherapy on Wednesday, my third course, but that's only to try and stop the cancer growing. If it works then treatment will follow to try and shrink it."

Hunter, who has a baby daughter Evie Rose, said the birth 16 weeks ago was the best thing that had happened to him this year. "She always puts a smile on my face."

Robertson, a 24-year-old from Melbourne, is now certain of a top 16 ranking next season, but said he gained no pleasure from the result. "Considering what has happened to Paul, I'm just glad the match is behind me. I was in a no-win situation and all I can do now is wish him good luck for the future. He is such a nice guy," said Robertson, who faces Stephen Lee for a place in the quarter-finals.

Scot Stephen Maguire broke his duck for the year to reach the second round.

Maguire arrived in Sheffield with only one victory from the previous five ranking events he had played this season and that was four months ago in the first round of the UK championship, an event he won in 2004.

Beaten by Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first round at the Crucible last year and in 2004, he was elated at notching his first win at Sheffield.

"I've been thinking about this match for weeks and I'm delighted to win it as it's great to succeed here. I love winning matches and it doesn't matter where," said the world No 3, who arrived in Sheffield with only one victory to his name in the previous five ranking tournaments and none this year. Ken Doherty, who won the Malta Cup last month, made light of his task against Crucible debutant Barry Hawkins, who was beaten 10-1 for a place in the last 16.

The 1997 world champion led Dartford's Hawkins 8-1 overnight after and it took the Dubliner only 47 minutes to win the two frames needed for victory.

The real damage was done in the early stages with Doherty pocketing breaks of 56, 57 and 50 to leave Hawkins, who won the opener with a confident run of 66, in a daze.

But confidence was in short supply as Hawkins, certain to join the top 16 next season, failed to add another frame as he suffered the 12th 10-1 scoreline in Crucible history. Qualifier Hawkins admitted nerves had been a key factor in his downfall: "I just couldn't do anything in the end and what chances I had, I squandered."

John Dee

The Nation

Sheffield