Robert Milkins
Name: Robert Milkins
DOB: March 6th, 1976
Nationality: English
Turned Pro: 1995
Highest Ranking: #21 (1990-8, 2006/7)
Current Ranking: #54
Highest Break: 147 (2006 World Championship Qualifiers)
Career Highlights: 2005 Irish Masters semi-finalist, 2002 UK Championship quarter-finalist. 2008 Bahrain Championship quarter-finalist, 2002 World Championship last 16
Career highlights
With a fast, exciting style reminiscent of that of Tony Drago, Robert turned professional in 1995, though it was to be a number of years before he really managed to establish himself on the main tour.
In 2002 however, a run to the last 16 of the World Championship (including a Crucible win over Fergal O’Brien before losing out to Ronnie O’Sullivan), gave his points tally a big boost and lifted him up to 33rd in the rankings.
His next season was to be even better as although he only reached the last 32 at the World Championship, he made his first ranking quarter-final at the 2002 UK Championship. As well as being another milestone in his career, this went a long way to securing top 32 status for Robert as he rose to a career high position of 21st in the rankings.
His next big tournament was to come at the 2005 Irish Masters when Milkins came so close to reaching his first ranking event final, ultimately losing out 9-8 to Matthew Stevens having at one point led 8-5. His fortunes didn’t improve at the World Championship shortly afterwards when he was hammered 10-1 by Mark Williams in the first round, Williams making a 147 in the first frame.
A year later though it was to be Robert’s turn to celebrate a 147 as he made one during his World Championship qualifier with Mark Selby at Pontin’s. Unfortunately for Robert however, he lost the match 10-4 and saw his ranking drop to 32nd.
Sharp decline
The last two years have been pretty disastrous for Robert firstly he dropped out of the top 32 and down to 47th place, before at the end of the 2007/8 season he lost his top 48 status, falling four places to 51st. This means that Robert now has to negotiate three matches in order to reach the final stages of events, not an easy task given the level of competition in the qualifiers these days.
2008/9
His start to 2007/8 was not poor but with his tour status at risk for the first time since 1997/8, he improved significantly as the season went on. His best result was a quarter-final run in the Bahrain Championship, while he also qualified for the last 32 before losing out to Stephen Hendry on both occasions. Though he suffered a disappointing early exit at the hands of Jamie Jones in the World Championship qualifiers, he had at least done enough to secure his main tour place for 2009/10.
