• World Championship

Robertson into quarter-finals but misses out on 100 centuries

Neil Robertson twice missed out on a century of centuries © Getty Images

Enlarge

Neil Robertson is still on 99 century breaks for the season after booking his place in the quarter-finals of the World Championship with a 13-7 victory over Mark Allen.

The world No.1, who led Allen 9-7 heading into the third and final session, won four frames to race to victory as Allen only scored 34 points.

Robertson twice had the opportunity to make a century of centuries. In the 19th frame he missed a black off its spot on a 94 break and in the following frame he failed to pot the final red along the cushion on 92.

The Australian has smashed the previous record of centuries this season, which was 61 made by Judd Trump in the 2012-13 campaign. The closest player to Robertson in the standings is Ding Junhui on 62.

UK champion Robertson will now face either Trump, who beat Ryan Day 13-7, in the quarter-finals.

"It keeps everyone waiting a little bit longer," Robertson joked on the century of centuries. "I feel like a cricketer on 190 or 290. The black I wobbled I thought I'd hit perfect.

"I was about to celebrate. I was going to look up at [Stephen] Hendry in the commentary box and Willie [Thorne], who's given me all sorts of stick over the years about how bad a break-builder I am. The barrier was up and everyone could enjoy it. But no - I'll have to bit a little bit longer."

On the other side of the arena, Dominic Dale reached the last eight with a 13-4 victory over Michael Wasley.

Wasley, who stunned world No.2 Ding in the first round at the Crucible, lost the first session 7-1 and never recovered as Dale secured a quarter-final spot for the first time since 2000. Dale will take on last year's runner-up Barry Hawkins in the last eight.

Shaun Murphy will face current holder Ronnie O'Sullivan after securing a 13-8 win over Marco Fu.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd