Robertson beat Robert Milkins 6-2 in the first semi-final with a very clinical performance. After Neil won a large tactical battle in the first frame and took a 1-0 lead, he never looked back taking the next 3 as well to lead 4-0 at the interval. This included top breaks 51, 59, 71 and 77, and it looked like being a very comfortable victory for Neil. After the interval Milkins managed to get the first frame after Robertson missed the last red and Robert made a good clearance. A swift 72 gave Milkins the next and it looked like he was well back into the match. However, the Aussie stopped the rot in the next to go 1 away from the final, regaining control of the match. As he did in the quarter-final, Robertson finished off the match with his best break, this time a 92, to book his place in consecutive finals in China.
As for Higgins, he beat Matthew Stevens 6-2, with a very high scoring and clinical performance. John started with a tight opening frame which he then followed up with 61 break in the next to give him an early 2-0 lead. Within a flash he was 4-0 ahead at mid-session, with runs of 57 and 66. The Scot continued in the same vain after the interval with another 57 break to give him a 5-0 lead, with a whitewash on the cards for poor Matthew Stevens. However, Stevens managed to avoid the humiliation, with a run of 55 to get his first frame on the board. This boosted the Welshmen's confidence as he went on to make a 70, in getting the score line back to 5-2 - although the comeback still looked very unlikely. As always, John Higgins finished the match off in style with a 101 break to set up a final match-up with Neil Robertson, who he beat to win the Bulgarian Open PTC.
Final Preview
John Higgins Vs Neil Robertson - As I just mentioned Higgins just beat Robertson 4-1 in the European Tour event 1, however that was in a much shorter format to the best of 19 the pair face tomorrow. This will do different things to both players. For Higgins it will increase his confidence having a recent victory over his opponent, playing very well in the process and shutting Robbo out. As for Robertson, it will make him more determined, as he will want revenge on Higgins, just like he wanted and got against Milkins in the semi-final. Both players won ranking events in China last year, Higgins the Shanghai Masters and Robertson his first - the China Open. I think that Robertson will just about edge this, and he has played excellently this week, taken his chances and scored well. Higgins has played equally well but has not really been tested so far in this tournament and has had a relatively easy ride to the final. As for Robertson he has been tested and has managed to find that extra gear to get him through, and that could prove key again tomorrow if he is to get away from Higgins.
Whatever happens it should be a fantastic final and a fabulous end to a tournament that hasn't been quite as exciting and lacking in something so far, with only a few close, tense moments and matches. I will be back tomorrow evening to review the final and the whole of the season's first ranking event.
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