Neil Robertson dominates John Astley to reach Northern Ireland Open last 16 for first time in snooker career

Neil Robertson cruised to a 4-1 victory against John Astley to reach the fourth round of the Northern Ireland Open for the first time in his career. Robertson has a relatively poor record in Belfast, having won the three other Home Nations tournaments, but is arguably the favourite to triumph this week following shock defeats for Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump.

Ad The World No. 3 will play Li Hang, who beat Jordan Brown 4-0, in the last 16.

Northern Ireland Open‘I made hard work of it!’ – Grace says Snooker Gods were on his side2 HOURS AGO Speaking to Eurosport at the conclusion of his match, Robertson said: «I started off well in the first two frames with back-to-back centuries. »John fights really hard and he never really gives you any easy chances.

«If it's 50/50 then he's more than happy to roll up to another ball and make you play an extra shot, a bit like a tennis player who just keeps getting it back in.» Opinion: Why White is right to demand professionalism from chuckling snooker refs ‘It’s weird’ – Why O’Sullivan is ‘really surprised’ about snooker’s young players On his match-up with Li, the Australian added: «I enjoy playing him, he plays the game properly and is a very good player. »We'll see what happens, I'll just approach it the same way — try and get in and win the frames as early as possible." Robertson started with a sublime clearance of 135 and made it consecutive centuries after coming out on top in an initially scrappy second frame.

Astley was 52 points ahead in the next frame, but was pegged back by Robertson, before he forced an error from the Australian after a long safety exchange on the final red that lasted nearly 10 minutes. Robertson responded immediately in frame four with a great long red