Hong Kong Masters: Neil Robertson downs Mark Williams to reach the semi-finals, could face Ronnie O'Sullivan

Neil Robertson booked a place in the Hong Kong Masters semi-final after defeating Mark Williams 5-3 at the Hong Kong Coliseum. In the opening frames between the two former world champions, Robertson was able to come back from behind twice to tie it 2-2 in the fourth frame, leaving it to be anyone's game.

Ad It was a bizarre start to the fifth frame, with Robertson seemingly getting distracted by shouts in the crowd, making him accidentally feather the cue ball. Hong Kong Masters'I knew I couldn't win' – Williams on why frantic dash to Hong Kong was all about the cash24 MINUTES AGO Williams was somehow unable to capitalise, leading Robertson to come back with 140 points, the highest break of the tournament so far.

Leading for the first time, Robertson wasted no time in the sixth frame, downing a red in the bottom left. He then missed the black right away, giving Williams chance to redeem himself from the frame prior, to which he also fumbled as he looked at the board in disbelief and shook his head.

Robertson made it difficult for himself but was able to extend his lead to two frames at 4-2. In a must-win situation for Williams, the Welshman sunk both the red and the blue in the bottom left pocket before securing the seventh frame with 80 points.

'Very strange' — Robertson fouls after protestor puts him off 'Williams is not amused!' — Crowd laugh as nightmare shot irritates Welshman ‘One of the best atmospheres I’ve ever played in’ — Higgins battles past Trump in thriller At 4-3, Robertson was adamant about not wasting the lead he had built up as he drained a red in the bottom corner before he downed the black that just made it into the middle pocket. His blue was essentially the match ball as it secured the Australian a