Flawless Robbo disappoints home crowd - 22/09/2011

John Higgins 0-3 Neil Robertson
14-126 (Robertson 57, 69), 0-93 (Robertson 87), 35-95 (Robertson 34, 31)

Australia’s Neil Robertson silenced the big pro-Higgins crowd with an excellent performance that saw him progress to the evening’s final match. The reigning World Champion, who lives just up the road in Wishaw, was well supported and in fairness didn’t do a whole lot wrong as Robertson put on an outstanding all-round show.

Breaks of 57 and 69 won Robertson the opener, before a run of 87 gave Higgins no hope in the second. The Scotsman had chances in what was the final frame but lost out in the safety stakes as the ‘Thunder from Down Under’ made the critical breaks to secure the win.

“‘There were a few cheering me on in the audience!” said Robertson.

“It was a great performance and I played really well. I’ve tried lots of formulas in the Premier League over the last few years but this time I just got on with it and didn’t look at the clock.

“That was my best performance in the league so far and I played really well to reach tonight’s final. The win relieves a bit of pressure as I don’t want to play matches and not get a frame on the board,” He added.