The rigours of the snooker touring schedule have attracted criticism from players in recent weeks – but Neil Robertson says it is part and parcel of doing well.

The Thunder from Down Under overcame a spirited Ben Woollaston 4-3 in the opening round of the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast, coming from 3-1 down to seal his place in Round 2.

He faces Kurt Maflin at the next stage with the winner set to take on Li Hang in Round 3.

The Northern Ireland Open follows straight on from the Champion of Champions, during which Robertson reached the last eight, and finished on Sunday before action started at the Northern Ireland Open the following day.

But 2010 World Champion Robertson insists he can handle the heavy pressures of hectic touring.

“The way I play – I probably don’t get affected by the [rigours of a busy schedule] so much,” said the Australian. “I probably don’t play too many matches these days, especially this season, where I allow myself to get bogged down.

“I’m forcing the issue a lot more.

“We know how hard it is to travel around and if the schedules are really tight for you, it means you’re doing really well because you’re not going home early from many events.

“When you go deep in tournaments, that’s the consequence you have to pay I suppose.”

Watch the Northern Ireland Open live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player, with analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds