DEFENDING UK Champion Neil Robertson marched into the second round with a 6-0 drubbing of Leicester teenager Joe O'Connor.

Robertson was rarely troubled against the Wigston youngster, who had a good chance to win the fourth frame but few other opportunities.

Breaks of 76, 60 and 55 mean he will face the winner of Kyren Wilson or Gary Wilson in the last 64 on Sunday afternoon.

The Australian, who lifted the crown 12 months ago with a 10-7 victory over Mark Selby at the York Barbican, said: "It was a bit of a tough one.

"I was trying as hard as possible to play as well as I could. I could tell he was a bit nervous. He missed a few and the table played really hard.

"The cue ball seemed to be quite heavy and I got a big frustrated with that. I am not disappointed. I am not happy. I won 6-0 and at least I have got to experience what the tables could be like here."

O'Connor said: "It's my first time here and I didn't expect much. I didn't get many chances. I was a bit nervous. It is a big crowd and in a nice arena. I am just delighted to play in front of that many people against a top player like Neil.

"It's a tough game at the top," he added when asked what he had learned from the experience. "I need to practice a lot harder and hopefully come back next year, maybe as a professional, and do better."

Stephen Maguire, the champion in 2004 in York, booked his place in the second round after beating Lu Ning 6-2. The Scotsman said: "I played okay. I took my chances well. The first round is all about getting through. I lost a couple this year and I didn't want to lose in the first round of the UK."

Shaun Murphy recovered from 3-1 down at the mid-session interval to beat James Wattan 6-3.

The 2008 winner, and 2012 UK finalist in York, made a 147 and won the Ruhr Open last weekend and said: "What a difference a few days makes. At the weekend I couldn't miss if I tried and tonight I couldn't string a 50 together.

"I thought the balls played very difficultly. They seemed to play a little bit heavy. When they do that they seem to make the pockets a little bit smaller. It just makes the game a bit more difficult.

"It's like playing golf in the wind. It makes moving the ball around that much more difficult."

He added: "No-one wants to come here and lose before the TV has even started. This is one of our flagship, showpiece events. Everyone wants to be a part of it. Everyone wants to play on the BBC and have their family and loved ones watch them from home.

"To lose before the tournament really starts isn't what anyone really wants. James is a class player, has been for a long time - nothing to prove - and there definitely were easier draws, that's for sure."

* The BBC televised games on Saturday will be Mark Selby vs David Morris and Ding Junhui against Jimmy White at 1pm. The 7pm evening session will see Judd Trump's opening game against Aditya Mehta and Barry Hawkins' clash with Nigel Bond screened.

Tickets are still available. To book, call 0844 854 2757 or log on to www.yorkbarbican.co.uk