Robertson Floors Higgins With Epic Fight-Back

Neil Robertson completed one of his best ever fight-backs as he recovered a 5-1 deficit to beat John Higgins 6-5 in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Masters.

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Robertson was a late entry into the draw when Ronnie O'Sullivan pulled out on Friday morning, and the Australian insisted he could be "very dangerous" with the sense of having nothing to lose. He was frozen out in the early stages today, but then played tremendous snooker to reel off five frames in a row and set up a quarter-final with Shaun Murphy or Gary Wilson on Thursday. 

Higgins was making a record-extending 31st consecutive appearance in this elite event but has now lost 16 times in the opening round. Today's turnaround will bring back painful memories for the Scot as his previous meeting with Robertson was the 2022 Tour Championship final when he let slip a 9-4 advantage and lost 10-9. Two-time Masters champion Higgins, who turns 50 in May, has now lost nine of the 11 deciders he has played in this tournament.

It's only the sixth time in Masters history that a player has come from 5-1 down to win 6-5. Ironically, the previous occasion was in 2020 when Robertson himself lost the last five frames against Stephen Maguire. World number 20 Robertson has already lifted a trophy this season, at the BetVictor English Open in September, and the 42-year-old will hope that today's momentum could launch him towards a third Masters crown having won it in 2012 and 2022.

Robertson took the opening frame with a 48 clearance, but registered just 16 points in the next five as Higgins took control with breaks of 54, 78, 59, 86, 54 and 66 to lead 5-1. The Wishaw potter had a chance to turn the screw in frame seven, but missed a short range red to a centre pocket and Robertson finally got a rhythm going with a break of 63 to pull one back.

Higgins trailed 45-21 in the eighth when he over-cut a difficult red to a top corner, and again his opponent punished him to close to 5-3. Just 20 minutes later it was 5-5 as Robertson rattled in runs of 118 and 80. A superb long red set Higgins up for first chance in the decider, but on 35 a tough red to centre hit the far jaw. Robertson replied with 57 before running out of position, but then got the better of a safety exchange on the penultimate red and added the points he needed. 

"I don't think I could have hoped for better, it was a brilliant atmosphere and to be a part of that match was an amazing feeling," said Robertson. "John didn't do that much wrong from 5-1. Once it got to 5-3 the crowd were getting behind me. What makes this tournament so great is the fans. 

"I will try to maintain this mindset and try to find the flowing state as soon as I can in a match. Hopefully this lays down a marker. I won't get too excited or think too far ahead because every match here is against a great player."

Higgins, who is 14th in the rankings and will hope to make it 32 consecutive appearances next year, said: “It’s a tough one to take. My concentration went a little bit at 5-1 up when I missed that red over the middle trying to play down for the black. I have no complaints. It’s fine margins. Neil played tremendously well to come back. He really put the pressure on me. I maybe played the wrong shot when I went into the pack in the last frame. But Neil played great to come back. You’ve got to hold your hands up sometimes."