Neil Robertson faces Mark Williams in semi-final of 2011 Shanghai Masters snooker tournament in China
Australia’s Neil Robertson beat world snooker champion, John Higgins, in their quarter-final clash of 2011 Shanghai Masters to set up his encounter with Mark Williams in the semi-final
stage. The Australian cueman played outstandingly to unsettle his Scottish opponent in the match by the score line of 5-2. Robertson will now meet Williams in semi-final at Shanghai Grand Stage in China.
The former world snooker champion, Robertson had an easy victory against Higgins, who looked out of sorts during the entire match. The Australian grabbed an early 2-0 lead over his opponent
after firing a couple of stunning knocks of 78 and 59 in the first two frames. However, Higgins pulled level at 2-2, grabbing the third and fourth frame consecutively.
What followed however, was an all out attack by the 29-year-old Aussie, who didn’t let his opponent make any progress and fired superb clearances of 74 and 69 to win the match by 5-2.
The Thunder from Down Under is now ready to take on the Welsh Potting Machine, Mark Williams.
While speaking to the local media after beating Higgins, Robertson said, “In my eyes, John is the greatest player I’ve ever seen, although I can’t judge how good Steve Davis and Stephen
Hendry were because they were at their peaks before my time. It’s fantastic to beat him, even though he wasn’t at his best today.”
The Australian cueist further added, “I’m steadily improving as the tournament goes on, and that’s generally what I’ve done when I’ve won tournaments before. I’m feeling good with a lot
of momentum now.”
On the other hand, Welshman Mark Williams took care of compatriot Matthew Stevens in the quarter-final by the score line of 5-0 to book his semi-final berth against Robertson. Both cuemen
have gone head-to-head three times in the last season where Williams clinched two match victories. The semi-final clash will be a tussling encounter, as both potters are on top of their game.
The quarter-final results are given below:
Mark Selby 5-4 Shaun Murphy
Mark King 5-2 Anthony Hamilton
Neil Robertson 5-2 John Higgins
Mark Williams 5-0 Matthew Stevens
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