Neil Robertson is prepared to do whatever it takes to turn his fortunes around, insisting he wants to make his opponents 'suffer'.
World No 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan has decided to take a break from competing and the Australian appears keen to take advantage of his absence.
Robertson has suffered a number of first-round exits already this season, including at the UK Championship and the Masters.
The 2010 world champion is aiming to get his campaign back on track at the German Masters this week.
Neil Robertson is determined to rediscover his snooker form
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He beat Jimmy Robertson 5-0 in the first round in Berlin to set up a clash against Joe Perry on Thursday.
O'Sullivan, who has won the last three tournaments he has entered, pulled out of this week's action to protect his 'health and wellbeing'.
The Rocket's decision will surely have been a boost to his rivals, as he takes a break from competing amid a 15-game winning run.
Robertson sniffs a chance of going far in Germany and is desperate to put on a good show.
The 41-year-old says he will adopt a more ruthless approach towards his opponents and will look to 'bury' them at the first opportunity.
Robertson told WST: "I want the worst for my opponent on the table. I need to get back to being brutal and burying opponents.
"There are no more happy, smiley handshakes anymore. Away from it [the table] fine, but on the table I want them to suffer.
"I'm just really focused on getting the best out of my performances and doing the best that I can do.
"That is super hard work, eating well, sleeping well, diet and physical exercise.
"There is absolutely no stone which is going to be unturned from now until the rest of the season."
O'Sullivan is currently scheduled to return to action in a Welsh Open qualifier against Liam Graham on February 12.
He has also confirmed he intends to play at the Players Championship in Wolverhampton, which starts seven days later, but he will pick and choose which events he enters.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan is taking a break after winning three tournaments in a row
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O'Sullivan has been hugely critical of his own performances despite not losing a match since last November.
Robertson admits the seven-time world champion has played 'awfully' but has still found a way to get over the line.
He added: "Let’s have it right he’s played pretty awful, but he’s been able to keep winning because people keep missing blacks off the spot, pinks off the spot.
"He’s gained that reputation of being unbeatable this season even though he’s played awful.
Neil Robertson has suffered a string of first-round exits
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"He’s even talked about it himself, he’s almost laughing about it, people just can’t put him away.
"That has gone from me now, where people are putting me away if I’m not playing well, so I just have to play well.
"I’m not focused on if my opponents are playing the match of their life. If they’re playing the match of their life then I’ve done something wrong."
