Robertson leads Dott 9-7 after first day of Crucible final

The Australian trailed the Scot 5-3 going into the evening session, but breaks of 61, 90, 79 and 75 changed the complexion of the best-of-35.

Dott looked weary but managed to stop the rot, winning frames 14 and 15.

He should have won the 16th but failed with a plant allowing Robertson to clear and take a two-frame lead.

Had that plant gone in then it would have given Dott a huge boost going into the third session on Monday.

He had lost five frames on the bounce, including a heartbreaking 11th where he made 72 before Robertson claimed the snooker he needed and won the frame on a re-spotted black.

The Australian took the next two for 8-5 before Dott bounced back with a 56 in the 14th, after his opponent missed a red into the middle, before making a 53 in the next to reduce the deficit to one frame.

But the 2006 champion's luck was out in the final frame of the night when he elected to take a risky two-ball plant into the right centre and missed, allowing Robertson to steal.

Earlier, Dott, a three-time finalist, knocked in an 80 break to take the opening frame of the match and came through a bout of safety to take two of the next three.

Robertson, 28, hit back and a 62 helped him level at 3-3 before Dott edged back-to-back frames.