Snooker: Robertson makes semis with lucky shot

Australia’s Neil Robertson produced a moment of magic as the defending Masters champion beat Mark Allen 6-5 to reach the semi-finals.

With the quarter-final clash into a deciding frame, Northern Ireland’s Allen put Robertson in trouble when he ran through off a red to tuck in behind the yellow.

Robertson’s only real chance of an escape was to target a red hanging over a top pocket, a shot he played with success. Robertson insisted it was played with the highest degree of skill even though Allen concluded it as a fluke. “It was like trying to read a really horrible putt on a green,” said Robertson. “In terms of judgement it was probably the best shot I’ve ever played. It’s lucky but it’s not a fluke.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2013.