Robertson charges into semi-final
Friday, 19 August 2005 18:46World champion Shaun Murphy was unable to fend off a spirited fightback from Neil Robertson as he crashed out in the Northern Ireland Trophy quarter-finals.
Murphy rattled in 369 points before Aussie Robertson even managed to pot a ball against last year's Embassy World Championship winner.
But when he did get going the left-hander stormed back from 4-2 behind to snatch a memorable 5-4 victory, just when it looked like he was going home early from the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
Murphy made a fantastic start to the match with breaks of 72, 134 and 99 to take the first three frames.
The Rotherham potter also led 43-0 in the fourth frame before Robertson launched his recovery.
Runs of 57 and 59 drew the former world under-21 champion within one frame, then Murphy went 4-2 up with a superb 133. Still Robertson battled on, rattling in 69 and 85 for 4-4.
The deciding frame was finely balanced at 30-28 when the Melbourne player blasted in a long red to initiate a decisive 53.
Tonight's other quarter-final clashes (7pm start) will see seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry take on world amateur champion Mark Allen, while fellow Irishman Joe Swail meets Scot Alan McManus.
