It wasn't pretty but Australian world No.1 Neil Robertson has done just enough to overcome Mark Allen and reach the UK Masters snooker quarter-finals.
Robertson, the 2012 champion, looked out-of-sorts in Wednesday's first-round match at London's Alexandra Palace but still managed to grind out a 6-5 win.
The 31-year-old Australian did not hold the lead at any stage of the match until clinching the decisive 11th frame, coming from behind repeatedly to keep himself in the match.
He was helped by his Northern Irish opponent squandering a handful of chances to win the match and Robertson ultimately made Allen pay for some poor decision-making in the deciding frame.
It was same scoreline as when the pair met in last year's quarter-finals.
Robertson, who won last month's UK Championship to become only the eighth man - and first from outside Britain - to win all three of snooker's major titles, will face Scot Stephen Maguire in the second round on Friday.
But he'll be eyeing significant improvement, particularly with a possible semi-final showdown against five-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan looming.
Robertson said he struggled with conditions during Wednesday's scrappy match.
"It was similar to the UK (Championship)," said Robertson, who last month labelled the second table at York's Barbican Centre "unplayable".
"When the arena is so hot the balls just spray off all over the place.
"We had to get the white changed because it was playing like a ping-pong ball.
"After the interval it got a bit better but it was hard work.
"... I feel for Mark, it's similar to last year and how he went out 6-5 to me."
Following his impressive UK Championship win, Robertson has set his sights on becoming just the fourth man, and first in 11 years, to win snooker's Triple Crown in a single season.
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