Rampant Robertson roars past Lisowski at the Tour Championship
Neil Robertson roared through to the Tour Championship Semi-Finals following a commanding 10-5 victory over Jack Lisowski at the Celtic Manor Resort.
The world number four hit three tons on the way to maintaining his 100 per cent record against Lisowski.
Robertson has now beaten his fellow left-hander on all five occasions they have met, and will play Mark Selby or Kyren Wilson in the last four.
The Australian arrived at Celtic Manor with just one victory to his name from three events since lifting the UK title in December but, after hard work on the practise table, feels he is in a good place heading into the season’s climax.
“My preparation was been very good and I feel really good as well,” Robertson told ITV Sport.
“I think that showed in my performance; it was a very good all-round performance today.
“I’ve only played a few events since the turn of the year. People can say I’ve only won one match since the UK, but I’ve only played in three events properly.
“Mentally, I feel really good, I’m really prepared to go the distance and fight and scrap if I need to.
“I won some really crucial tight frames, I scored really well for most parts and my long potting was very good throughout the match. All the pieces are coming together nicely.”
Former World champion Robertson took the opening two frames with contributions of 91 and 51, but a run of 80 helped world number 14 Lisowski respond and level at the mid-session interval.
But it was one-way traffic upon the resumption of the contest, with the Australian hitting breaks of 73, 112 and 116 to establish a commanding 6-2 advantage.
Six-time ranking event finalist Lisowski took a lengthy opener in the evening, before a quickfire 95 saw him reduce the deficit to 6-4.
But Robertson regained his authority on proceedings by controlling the next two frames, before a neat clearance of 121 moved him to the brink of victory.
Although his opponent rallied with a stunning 129 total clearance in the next, the 19-time ranking event winner held his nerve to secure a place in the Semi-Finals.