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Neil Robertson eases past Stephen Maguire, John Higgins edges out Jamie Burnett

Robertson eases past Maguire, Higgins edges out Burnett

Last update03/12/2015 at 23:04

Publishedon 03/12/2015 at 22:04

Last update03/12/2015 at 23:04

Publishedon 03/12/2015 at 22:04

Article by Marcus Foley

2008 winner Neil Robertson overcame Stephen Maguire 6-1 in the last 16 of the UK Championship at the Barbican Centre, while John Higgins also made it through with a 6-4 win over Jamie Burnett.

Maguire, a former winner of the tournament himself in 2004, began their encounter impressively with a break of 118.

However, the Australian rallied and rattled off the next six frames to secure his passage to the next round in an imperious performance that included three century breaks.

Robertson, one of only 10 players to have completed the triple crown of the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters, claimed the champions of champions trophy last month and looks in ominous form.

"That was the best I have played all season, without a doubt. I played great but I knew I had to," said Robertson, via BBC Sport.

"I have to maintain my focus and keep my foot down.

"He looked in really good nick in that first frame and didn't really have a chance up until 3-1 when he was unfortunate to go in off the yellow.

" That was the only obvious mistake he made - even though it was very unlucky."

Robertson will face John Higgins in Saturday's quarter-final sneaking past Jamie Burnett 6-4, despite a spirited comeback by the Scot.

The three-time UK champion opened a 3-0 lead and appeared to be on course for a comfortable victory, but Burnett won four of the next five frames to close to 4-4.

John Higgins
John Higgins - Imago

But Burnett missed a number of chances, including a key miss that could have taken him 5-4 up. That let Higgins in to make a classy break of 102 to go 5-4 up, before closing out the match.

"Jamie came back very strongly and I was fearing the worst for a little while, but I managed to get over the finish line," Higgins told Eurosport shortly after securing victory.

"I'll probably go into the match with Robertson as the underdog and that suits me just fine. These are the kinds of games you look forward to and it will be a great occasion."

Elsewhere, Matthew Selt overcame Luca Brecel 6-4 to also progress to the next round - Selt was 3-1 behind, but won five of the last six frames to secure the win.

Martin Gould is also through after a 6-3 win over Northern Ireland's Joe Swail.

Latest results - Thursday

1pm

Neil Robertson 6-1 Stephen Maguire

Matthew Selt 6-4 Luca Brecel

7pm

John Higgins 6-4 Jamie Burnett

Martin Gould 6-3 Joe Swail

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