• China Open

Robertson reaches semi-finals as Selby suffers shock defeat

Neil Robertson had won all of his matches in a deciding frame prior to the quarter-finals © Getty Images

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Defending champion Neil Robertson reached the semi-finals of the China Open after beating Graeme Dott 5-3, but world No.2 Mark Selby was stunned by Mike Dunn.

Selby, who has been looking to reclaim top spot in the rankings from Robertson throughout the season, lost 5-3 against world No.72 Dunn.

The 42-year-old was close to retiring last year having never been beyond the last 16 of a ranking event, but sealed a sensational win after taking a 4-3 lead with a break of 63 and taking the eighth frame on the final green and brown.

"Mark wasn't at his best but this season I have made sure that anyone who beats me has to scrape me off the table," Dunn told worldsnooker.com.

"That has made a big difference. This could have been my last season and I wanted to give it everything, so if I fell off the tour I wouldn't regret it."

There were no such scares for Robertson, who defeated former world champion Dott, which was the first match of the event where the Australian has not been taken the distance.

Robertson, who has been fighting a virus throughout the tournament, moved into a 4-1 lead with a highest break of 71. However, Dott reduced the deficit to one frame at 4-3. Robertson though sealed victory with contributions of 33 and 37.

"I felt a lot better today and hopefully tomorrow I'll be even better," Robertson said. "If I get to the final I'll have to find the energy to play two sessions in one day. I lost a bit of concentration today towards the end but regained it in the last frame."

Ali Carter will be his last-four opponent after the two-time world finalist overcame Ricky Walden 5-3. Home favourite Ding Junhui also booked his spot in the semi-finals with a 5-2 victory over Mark King.

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