Bond never recovered from a slow start (Getty Images)

Nigel Bond bowed out of the World Snooker Championship in the first round with a 10-4 defeat against Australian world number seven Neil Robertson.

Robertson led 7-2 and although Derbyshire star Bond, 42, reduced the deficit with a break of 67, Robertson hit back with a 63 to move 8-3 ahead.

The pair shared the next two frames but a fine break of 84 gave Robertson a comfortable victory.

"I never really seemed to get flowing at all," the 1995 finalist admitted.

"I thought if I could win the first mini-session 3-1, at 8-5 I would be back into it. But at 9-4 down it's lost I suppose.

I've had a great season. Probably my best for four or five years Nigel Bond

"The first session I didn't really get the run of the balls and Neil played really well."

But despite the disappointment, Bond said he was pleased with his form.

"I've had a great season," he explained. "Probably my best for four or five years so I can't complain.

"Hopefully provisionally I will be near the top 16 so I'm looking forward to next season."