Robertson books Shanghai spot
The Bexhill cueman is through to the Shanghai Masters after winning three matches in the qualifiers.
Robertson began by coming from 4-2 down to edge out 16-year-old Lu Haotian, the world number 72 from China, aided by breaks of 62, 52, 96, 54, 58 and 59.
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Hide AdHe then pipped 36th-ranked Ben Woollaston by the same score in the next stage. The opening four frames were shared with Woollaston winning the first and third - the latter by one point having recovered from needing a snooker - and Robertson taking the second and fourth - the latter thanks to a run of 73.
A 51 put Woollaston 3-2 up, but Robertson replied with a brilliant 136 in the next and a 46 helped him lead for the first time at 4-3. Woollaston won the eighth courtesy of a 75 only for Robertson to clinch the decider with a best effort of 38.
World number 54 Robertson booked his place in the far east via a very good 5-3 win over 22nd-ranked Chinese player Xiao Guodong despite losing the opening frame to a break of 111.
Although he won the second with a closing 58 and then clinched the fourth, Robertson trailed 3-2. But Guodong scored just 24 points thereafter as Robertson reeled off three frames in a row with breaks of 52, 62 and 69.
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Hide AdThe 28-year-old will face Scottish world number 13 Stephen Maguire in the event proper, which will take place from September 8-14.
Mark Davis, the world number 18 from St Leonards, was beaten 5-2 by Matthew Selt in the final round of the qualifiers. Though avis won frame two, 55th-ranked Selt hit breaks of 69, 140 and 85 to lead 4-1. Davis replied with a 98 only for Selt to seal victory in the next.
Davis, 42, and Robertson will line up in European Tour event two on Saturday. Robertson’s opening opponent will be 80th-ranked Vinnie Calabrese, while Davis will be up against a qualifier.