THE MASTERS Venue: Wembley Arena Date: 9-16 January Coverage: Live action & highlights on BBC Two, Red Button and BBC Sport website; updates and reports on BBC Radio 5 live and online; watch again on iPlayer; full details of BBC coverage
Robertson eases into Masters last eight
By Mark Ashenden BBC Sport at Wembley
World champion Neil Robertson avoided being another Masters shock first-round casualty with a 6-3 win over six-time champion Stephen Hendry.
Hendry knocked in a 64 and 74 to lead 2-1 before Robertson stormed back with four successive frames thanks to breaks of 85, 86 and 81.
The Scot pulled one frame back but the Australian stayed cool to secure a quarter-final clash with Mark Allen.
Fifth seed Shaun Murphy lost 6-3 to Masters debutant Jamie Cope.
It was a horror show for Murphy, whose highest break was 42 and who never looked comfortable after losing the opener when Cope knocked in a 77. It means seven of the top eight seeds are now out of the competition.
It could be my last chance here at the Masters if I don't buck my ideas up
Stephen Hendry
The Stoke cueman, a recent entrant into the world's top 16, edged three of the four frames in a ragged first session but Murphy battled back to 5-3 despite both players struggling to sink the balls.
Breaks of 48 and 45 proved enough in the closing stages as Cope stumbled over the line after three and a half hours of scrappy action.
It was the latest surprise at Wembley that has seen Mark Selby, Mark Williams, John Higgins, Ali Carter, Stephen Maguire and Ronnie O'Sullivan all crashing out at the first hurdle.
Wednesday's action began with Robertson's comfortable win over Hendry and the Australian was critical of his opponent afterwards.
"He didn't put me away and he should have been up 3-1," he said. He doesn't have the same aura as he used to. It's like watching a completely different player - technically he has a lot of flaws."
Robertson eyes Masters improvement
Looking ahead to his match with the talented Allen, he added: "He's a great player and it will be tough. If I make a few improvements I think I will get through."
Another shock had seemed on the cards after three frames as Hendry, seeking his first major title for nearly six years, opened up with a 74 to stun the current world champion.
The Scot, who turns 42 on Thursday, wasted chances in the next but a fine 64 in the third frame set up a 2-1 lead.
The wheels soon fell off for the player who won the last of his six Masters titles in 1996 as Melbourne left-hander Robertson finally found some form.
The 28-year-old has struggled over the festive period with flu but after levelling the match at 2-2 with an 85, the smoothness of his potting ensured his opponent remained in the chair for the majority of the next hour.
An 86 opened up a 3-2 lead and with Hendry continuing to struggle with his safety and long potting, Robertson edged a nervy sixth frame to get within two of the finish line.
The potting was relentless from Robertson, aiming for a first Masters semi-final spot, and an 81 had Hendry looking thoroughly miserable with his towel covering his face.
Hendry, though, is well known for his battling style and he survived another frame as an impressive 49 got the score back to 5-3.
He had more chances to get right back into the match, but with his safety success plummeting below the 54% level and long-pot success just above 70%, Robertson remained in control to knock in a 48 and then a 34 to secure the victory.
Hendry rued his missed opportunities and admitted: "It could be my last chance here at the Masters if I don't buck my ideas up.
"I just need results to stay in the top 16. The Masters is for the elite players and not to be considered one of those would be hard to swallow and brings home what I need to do.
"I've still got the desire and I'm getting the chances. My form is there in practice - I hit seven centuries in nine frames last week."
Asked how he would celebrate his 41st birthday on Thursday the Scotsman, who has agreed to join the BBC commentary team for the remainder of the event, quipped: "I'll be joining the has-beens in the box."
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