Neil Robertson became only the fourth player in snooker history to make 900 career centuries, during a 5-0 win over fellow Australian Ryan Thomerson in the qualifying round of the Wuhan Open.
Robertson, age 41, joins Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Judd Trump as the only players to cross the 900 milestone. His break came in the fifth and final frame as he compiled a 137 total clearance. Earlier, the world number six narrowly missed a century in frame three, failing to pot a red to centre on 95.
He goes through to the final stages of the new Wuhan Open ranking event, to take place next month in China. Mark Allen also booked his place as he top scored with 109 in a 5-3 win over John Astley.
China’s He Guoqiang edged out Kyren Wilson 5-4 in a high quality match which featured three centuries and four more breaks over 50. At 4-3 down, Wilson made a 122 to level and he then led 66-4 in the decider, only for his opponent to make a tremendous 64 clearance. Wu Yize also earned a spot in his home event with a 5-3 win over Allan Taylor.
Ashley Carty, a quarter-finalist at last week’s BetVictor European Masters, came from 3-2 down to beat Gary Wilson 5-3 with a top break of 98.
Mark Selby eased to a 5-0 success against Andy Lee, knocking in breaks of 75, 106 and 57.