UK Championship: Neil Robertson beats John Higgins in York

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Media caption,

Robertson holds off Higgins fightback

Betway UK Championship

Venue: York Barbican Dates: 24 November-6 December

BBC coverage: Watch on BBC Two, Red Button, BBC Sport website, Connected TVs, tablets, mobiles and app from 28 November.

Neil Robertson survived a superb John Higgins fightback to win a final-frame decider and reach the semi-finals of the UK Championship.

Robertson compiled a stylish century on the way to a 4-1 lead, despite three-time winner Higgins opening up with the 600th ton of his career.

And although two more centuries helped the Scot level at 4-4, Robertson held his nerve to progress 6-5.

China's Liang Wenbo opened with three centuries as he beat Marco Fu 6-5.

Wenbo said he played "beautifully" at the start of his match against Fu, and both he and Robertson expressed their relief at getting through.

Media caption,

Butterfly effects chaos at snooker

Robertson told BBC Sport: "It was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.

"I played brilliantly to go 4-1 up but even at 4-1 the game is far from over against a player as good as John.

"Overall I am really happy with my mindset throughout the match and the way I played."

A final-frame decider in either match seemed highly unlikely after a breathtaking beginning at the York Barbican.

Robertson's response to falling behind was to repeat the majestic form he showed in his last-16 win over Stephen Maguire as he won four consecutive frames.

But world number seven Higgins then scored a 69 and two breaks of 134 in three frames to level at 4-4 and, although he hit back to force an 11th frame, a missed red early on proved telling and Robertson took full advantage.

The Cambridge-based Australian faces either Mark Selby or Matthew Selt in the semi-finals.

On the other table, Liang made breaks of 106, 132 and 138 and had 49 on the board in the fourth frame, but Fu made a brilliant 64 clearance that included a tricky green along the cushion to get off the mark.

Hong Kong's Fu reduced the gap to 3-2, and although he then slipped 5-2 behind he forced Liang into a decider, which the world number 29 edged.

Wenbo plays either Londoner Martin Gould or world number 81 David Grace in the semi-finals.

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