Robertson battles past Williams

Neil Robertson overcame a fightback from Mark Williams and a problem with his cue tip to book his place in the semi-finals of the BGC Masters at Alexandra Palace today.

The Australian claimed a 6-4 win to set up a last-four meeting with UK champion Judd Trump.

Williams battled back from 4-1 to 4-3 down, but a break of 119 to go 5-3 in front ended the Welshman’s run as Robertson edged home.

The 2010 world champion took the first and third frames on the black, either side of a 78 break from Williams, to move into a 2-1 lead, and he then racked up a 95 to go further clear.

Williams narrowed the deficit, thanks partly to a 68 in frame seven, but Robertson’s emphatic century ended the fightback.

“I had a good century,” Robertson told BBC2. “I potted some really good balls under pressure to go 5-3 up.”

The Melbourne player, though, admitted he struggled with his tip during the match and would have to get it replaced before his semi-final against Trump.

“I have to change my tip tonight,” he added.

“You are meant to play in a few tips and have one ready, but I haven’t done it. Hopefully I can play it in tomorrow. A brand new tip is probably a player’s worst nightmare.”

Trump beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-2 in the quarter-finals and beat Robertson 9-7 in the semi-finals of the UK Championship last month.

Asked how he sees his next match-up with Trump, Robertson said: “It all depends on how my tip is.

“I like to play attacking snooker, if I get in the balls I’ll play quickly.

“He’s playing really well, but players are getting opportunities against him.

“He’s a great front-runner so the start of the match is pretty key.”

Tonight’s final quarter-final is between Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy.