• The Masters

Robertson survives scare to progress

ESPN staff
January 13, 2013
Neil Robertson won the final three frames to snatch victory © PA Photos
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Defending champion Neil Robertson produced a dramatic comeback to reach the quarter-finals of The Masters with a 6-5 victory over Ding Junhui at Alexandra Palace.

Robertson led 2-0 before Ding won three frames in a row to take a 5-3 lead, but the Australian hit back with breaks of 100, 62 and 90 to claim a dramatic victory.

An impressive break of 76 gave Robertson an early lead before edging a tactical battle in the second for a 2-0 lead.

But Ding, who won the title in 2011, hit a break of 103 to claw his way back into the contest, and a second century break of 127 saw him level proceedings before taking the lead for a first time with a break of 54.

With the pair neck-and-neck in the midway stages, Ding took control of the match, winning three frames in a row to move within one frame of victory.

But Robertson, who is bidding to become only the fourth player in the history of the event to successfully defend his title, dug deep to secure a last-eight clash against either Mark Allen, who reeled off four frames in a row to seal a 6-2 victory against Mark Davis.

Allen started brightly with a fine break of 136, but Davis responded with a 62 break. The Northern Irishman moved ahead once more, only to be pegged back. But Allen took the lead for a third time and he streaked away to victory, clinching the win with a break of 80.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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