Robertson sets marker ahead of quarter-finals

Neil Robertson set down a big marker for the other seven players remaining in the China open in his magnificent 5-1 victory over Mark Allen. Also through on day 4 were Mark Selby, Mark Willliams, Shaun Murphy, Stephen Maguire and Stuart Bingham. Meanwhile, Jack Lisowski overcame Mark Davis and Marcus Campbell beat fellow Scotsman Graeme Dott

Round-up on Day 4

Starting with Robertsons 5-1 victory over Allen, and Allen actually took the first frame with a break of 75. However, the Aussie began to show form as his first real chance resulted in a 118 break to level the match, and then he took the lead with a fantastic 138 total clearance. A lucky fluke on the blue helped Robbo take the fourth frame and a 3-1 interval lead, when it should've really been 2-2. Another fluked red in the next frame helped Neil on the way to a frame clinching 51 break, putting him 1 frame from victory. That frame turned out to be the next as Robertson was on a maximum break, until he ran out of position and missed a double into the middle for the tenth red. An in-off in the middle pocket later on for Allen was enough for him to concede frame and match.

Mark Williams made a magnificent comeback today against Ali carter, showing some old form from 4-2 down to win 5-4. A break of 51 in the first frame wasn't enough for Williams to win it as Carter took an early lead. Williams took 2 close frames to edge 2-1 ahead. A well compiled 78 break levelled the match 2-2 at the interval. Carter came out and won the next 2 before the potting machine switched on. From 4-2 the Welshmen made runs of 136, 81 and 79 to clinch the match and a quarter-final with Mark Selby.

Selby, didn't quite show his first round form but still played well enough to win 5-2 against Ricky Walden. Selby opened with 91 and took a longer second frame to march 2-0 ahead. A nice little 51 put Walden back in the match at 2-1, but Mark regained the 2 frame cushion in the fourth. Walden took the first after the interval and looked like levelling when he made an early 50 in frame six, but it wasn't enough as Selby made 67 to steal and move 4-2 up. Walden couldn't take an early chance in the seventh and a 75 break gave Selby the match.

Jack Lisowski came from 4-2 down to beat Mark Davis 5-4, with top runs of 67, 71, 80, 81 and 91. The defeat now means that Davis must qualify for The Crucible.

He will now play Shaun Murphy, after he saw off an appointment with the Dentist with highs of 66, 99 and a 124 to seal a 5-3 victory.

Stuart Bingham turned around a 3-1 mid-session defecit to beat Robert Milkins 5-3. Bingham made high breaks of 84, 91 and a 134 to go with a 70 and a 109 from Milkins.

Bingham now meets Stephen Maguire, who saw off Barry Hawkins 5-1,  in a scrappy encounter where the scots highest break was 50.

In the final 2nd round match, an all Scotish clash between Graeme Dott and Marcus Campbell went down to the wire. Dott was 2-0 and 4-3 ahead but Campbell stuck at it and made best breaks of 50, 56, 68 and 93 to secure a 5-4 and a meeting with Neil Robertson.

Quarter-Final draw and Predictions

6.30 am UK Time

Mark Selby Vs  Mark Williams - Selby win
Shaun Murphy Vs Jack Lisowski - Will be very close but i have to say victory for Murphy

11.30 UK Time

Neil Robertson Vs Marcus Campbell - Based on today a simple win for Robertson
Stuart Bingham Vs Stephen Maguire - Another tight won but Bingham should just edge it for me.

Looking great ahead of the easter weekend and should be great drama ahead of Sunday's final.