The Australian has already triumphed in this competition twice in the past, including twelve months ago.
Neil Robertson is through to the semi-finals of the Champion of Champions after emerging from his quarter of the draw on Monday in Milton Keynes.
The reigning champion took advantage of a dreadful display by Jimmy White to easily book his place in the last eight.
Robertson compiled breaks of 115, 101, 81, and 59 as he mopped up following numerous mistakes from the world seniors champion.
His evening fixture was a much tougher affair, with the Melbourne man surviving a gruelling battle with Ding Junhui.
The latter had previously overcome John Higgins in the first round despite the Scot’s compiling of an 800th career century break.
Even though Robertson was generally the heavier scorer, adding another brace of tons to his day’s tally, Ding held on and was well in the contest when he squared the scoreline at 4-4 with a run of 51.
A dramatic and lengthy ninth frame ensued with both players missing opportunities to move in front, crucially the last error made by Ding when he missed the final black to allow his opponent in to pinch it.
Robertson subsequently won the next frame as well to avoid the decider and progress to the Champion of Champions semi-finals for the fifth time since 2013.
The world number three awaits the winner of Wednesday’s mini group, which features the in-form Mark Selby and Kyren Wilson in addition to Stephen Maguire and Luca Brecel.
Before that on Tuesday, world number one Judd Trump is in action against Stuart Bingham with a potential quarter-final bout with either Shaun Murphy or David Gilbert to come after.
🏆 “I’ve got a great record in this event, to be defending champ and get through to the semi finals is a great start.”
The defending champion @nr147 is through the @888sport #ChampOfChamps semi finals after a hard earned win over Ding Junhui in tonight’s group final. pic.twitter.com/hS77G89qqE
— ChampionofChampions (@ChampOfChamps) November 2, 2020
The Champion of Champions, now in its eighth season, is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the calendar and boasts a top field of mostly proven recent winners on the circuit.
With a first prize worth £150,000, the event is also one of the more lucrative on the schedule.
All of the action this year will take place behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here to view the draw – Scheduled times in CET. (External Site)
