Barry Hawkins "delighted" to avoid shock early exit

Barry Hawkins of England in action against Ricky Walden of England during the Semi Final match of the Betfair World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre on May 4, 2013
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Barry Hawkins praises qualifier Matthew Selt for pushing him all the way in this afternoon's Snooker World Championship first-round clash at The Crucible.

World number five Barry Hawkins has admitted that he is "delighted" to have scraped through his first-round match against Matthew Selt at the Snooker World Championship.

The 35-year-old led 7-2 and then 9-4 at The Crucible, before Selt hit back to take the contest to a final-frame decider.

Hawkins finally managed to edge past the qualifier 10-9, setting up a meeting with Ryan Day or Mark Allen in the process.

"Matt played some great stuff and put me under pressure, but I don't feel like I was squandering chances," he told BBC Sport. "To come through like that is a great feeling and I am delighted.

"There is nothing worse than when someone is coming back at you like that and they are growing in confidence. I was pushed all the way but played some good stuff."

Elsewhere, world number four Neil Robertson eased past Welshman Jamie Jones 10-2 this afternoon to book his place in the second round.

Neil Robertson in action during his first round match against Robert Milkins during their World Snooker Championship on April 25, 2013
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