Neil Robertson completes sensational comeback to stun John Higgins in Masters opener
Neil Robertson pulled off a spectacular comeback from 5-1 down to stun John Higgins in a deciding frame in the opening tie of the 2025 Masters on Sunday.
Robertson, who received an unexpected call-up to the event following the withdrawal of Ronnie O’Sullivan, took full advantage as he battled back from the brink to reel off five frames on the spin.
Despite securing the first frame, Robertson went on to register just 16 points across the next five as Higgins raced clear.
The Australian, however, dug deep and found his free-flowing best, punishing a clutch of costly errors from Higgins to complete a famous comeback.
“It was an unbelievable match. John was playing incredibly well for 5-1 and he didn’t really do anything wrong,” Robertson told BBC Sport.
“I played at my absolute best. I am so happy I could take my chance with Ronnie dropping out. That match there shows how well I can play.”
Robertson, twice a Masters champion, now awaits the winner of Sunday evening’s clash between Shaun Murphy and Gary Wilson in the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace.
He clinched a lengthy opening frame of the contest, but was left in his seat for much of the next five frames as Higgins fired in breaks of 54, 78, 59, 86 and 66 to move to the cusp of victory.
A pivotal moment in the match saw Higgins miss a red to the middle pocket in frame seven, handing Robertson a lifeline – which he grasped with a 63 break to stop the rot.
Robertson then dominated frame eight, before producing a clinical break of 118 to reduce the deficit to 5-4.
That was followed swiftly by a break of 80 to force a deciding frame, and another missed red to the middle on 35 proved fatal for Higgins as Robertson made a 57 break on his way to sealing victory.
After slumping to a third consecutive First Round exit at The Masters, a disconsolate Higgins admitted: “He played tremendously to come back from 5-1.
“I was still trying to keep positive. In the last frame I probably played the wrong shot, who knows? But he played great to come back, so every credit to him.”