Neil Robertson cruises past Stephen Hendry to set up Peter Ebdon clash in 2012 China Open
Former World Snooker Champion from Australia, Neil Robertson has successfully made his way into the quarter-final stage of the 2012 China Open snooker tournament after beating the former seven-time World Snooker Champion, Stephen Hendry from Scotland in
the second round. The Aussie played impressively at the Beijing University Students Gymnasium arena to oust his Scottish opponent by an easy score line of 5-3.
With this second round win against the Golden Boy, the Victorian cueman has set up his quarter final clash against the former World Snooker Champion Peter Ebdon from England. Ebdon hit the quarter-final stage after earning a classy triumph over the reigning
World Snooker Champion, Scotland’s John Higgins after a nail biting competition by a close score line of 5-4.
The Robertson-Hendry clash began with a tussling clash between both potters as both were trying to grab early lead. However, Hendry clicked the lead after putting up an excellent snooker skills. The 2012 Masters snooker event winner fought back with brilliant
breaks of 95, 74, 68 and 86 to push his veteran opponent two frames down and breeze into the final stages of the contest.
Speaking to World Snooker after his match, Neil Robertson said, “I was very pleased with how I played tonight, I didn't miss any easy balls and my safety was pretty good. I thought Stephen played pretty well, apart from missing two or three easy balls. Overall
I think it was a good match and I'm really happy to get through.”
The 30-year-old added, “Peter will be a really hard match, he's a great match-player and someone I don't have a good record against. But as long as I start to play a little bit better, like tonight, I've got every chance of winning. I want to do really well
here. I haven't won a tournament in China yet.”
The Robertson-Ebdon clash will be a thrilling encounter as both potters have experience of playing against each other before. The duo fought in the first round of the 2011 China Open where Ebdon was victorious by the score line of 5-1. However, things have
changed since then and Robertson’s form has improved especially after winning the Masters.
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