Robertson survives scare at Aust Snooker

Victoria's world No.2 Neil Robertson has overcome a slow start to beat Andrew Higginson to progress to the last 16 of the Australian Snooker Open.

Local hero Neil Robertson recovered from a slow start to beat England's Andrew Higginson 5-2 and reach the last 16 of the Australian Snooker Open in Bendigo.

The Australian, who won the Wuxi Classic in China on Sunday, fell behind 2-1 before reeling off the last four frames to set up a match with Welshman Jamie Jones.

A break of 94 from world No.2 Robertson made it 2-2 and he took the fifth frame on the colours after trapping his opponent in a tough snooker on the last red on Wednesday.

A crucial 38 clearance put the Melbourne-born cueman 4-2 ahead and he wrapped up victory in the next with a run of 89.

"I flew from China on Monday night and arrived here yesterday morning so it was pretty tough to get ready to play," said 32-year-old Robertson.

"I felt tired but I thought I played some pretty good snooker. The two frames from 2-2 to 4-2 could have gone either way so I was really happy to win them both."

Robertson is looking forward to the challenge of facing Jones.

"He's quite an attacking player which will suit me. Hopefully I can recover quickly because to have a good run I can't be tired," he said.

Judd Trump impressed in a 5-2 win over Rory McLeod, knocking in breaks of 106, 67 and 100 while Shaun Murphy took just 60 minutes to beat Jack Lisowski 5-0, top scoring with 90, 103, 54 and 68.

Wuxi Classic runner-up Joe Perry was edged out 5-4 by Alan McManus.

Perry came from 4-2 down to 4-4 but lost a 36-minute decider when McManus cleared from yellow to blue.

Peter Ebdon beat Barry Hawkins 5-2 with a top break of 67, in a repeat of the 2012 final, which Hawkins won 9-3.


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