Masters snooker: Neil Robertson edges out Mark Allen with century in final frame
An incredible escape shot in the deciding frame helped Neil Robertson edge out Mark Allen 6-5 at the Masters.
Last Updated: 17/01/13 11:56pm
Allen looked to have put Robertson in all sorts of trouble when he ran through off a red to tuck in snug behind the yellow, which was just off its spot.
Robertson's only real chance of an escape was to target a red hanging over a top pocket, and Allen could do nothing but watch as his opponent went off the cushion before clipping in the red and landing on the black.
From there Australian Robertson made a classy break of 105 to take the all-important 11th frame, before being congratulated by Allen.
The pair had earlier split the first four frames as Allen reeled off a brilliant break of 138 - the highest of the tournament so far. Allen then edged ahead by winning the fifth frame, but Robertson came back to lead 4-3, compiling a break of 111 in the process.
Four-all followed before another century put Robertson 5-4 up, with Allen levelling before the Australian clinched it in the final frame. Robertson will face either John Higgins or Shaun Murphy in the last four.
"It won't get any easier. World Snooker have made it as hard as possible for me, just like last year, but I think it's probably what brings the best out of me," the 2010 world champion said.
