Robertson Avoids Masters Mayhem
Neil Robertson became the first, and only seeded player to win through to the quarter-finals of this year’s Ladbrokes Mobile Masters, beating Stephen Hendry by six-frames-to-three at Wembley.
On might be forgiven for thinking that in a tournament where entry is restricted to the Top-16 players in the world, the potential for surprise results might be reduced significantly.
The bookmakers don’t get it wrong very often but pre-match favourites John Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams, Allister Carter and Stephen Maguire all failed to win.
The Australian was in anything but top form against the seven-times world champion, but managed to steer himself into a 5-2 lead after the Scot had won two of the first three frames.
Hendry rallied in frame eight to reduce the deficit to trail by two with three to play.
The world number two exudes confidence and must really fancy his chances of adding the Masters title to the World Championship and World Open crowns he won in 2010.
He now faces Mark Allen for a place in the last four. O’Sullivan’s conqueror, Allen will be looking to avenge defeat by Robertson in the semi-final at the Crucible last year.
Jamie Cope made a winning start to his Masters career with a scrappy six-frames-to-three against Shaun Murphy.
The 2005 world champion, usually one of the most dependable players on the circuit played well below his usual standard, making a highest break of just 50.
Cope’s reward is a shot at Romford’s Mark King, who has enjoyed a four-day break since beating defending champion, Selby in the opening match on Sunday.
A new name will be added to the Masters Roll of Honour with none of the eight remaining players ever won at Wembley before.
Robertson and China’s Ding Junhui are the two highest rated players and will be fancied to do well, but in the most open Masters in history, there might be one or two more surprises before the week is out.
