Robertson Dominates Wu Yize, Advances in UK Championship; Criticizes “Easy” Table Conditions

Neil Robertson has powered into the quarter-finals of the UK Championship in York, delivering a commanding 6-1 victory over China’s Wu Yize. The Australian veteran showcased formidable form, leaving his opponent with little reply.

Despite Wu initiating the match with a strong break of 62 to claim the opening frame, Robertson quickly took control. The three-time UK champion, 43, then reeled off five consecutive frames, compiling impressive breaks of 51, 65, 75, and 68. Wu, who recently secured the International Championship, struggled to counter Robertson’s momentum, with the Australian even overcoming a 48-point deficit to secure the seventh frame.

Millenium TV can confirm that Robertson will now face Pang Junxu in the next stage of the tournament. Pang earned his spot after defeating two-time winner Mark Williams with a 6-3 scoreline. Pang, who had previously suffered a 6-1 loss in his only prior encounter with the Welshman, received a standing ovation for his outstanding performance, which he capped off with a superb break of 116.

The match between Pang and Williams saw an initial trade of frames before the 25-year-old Chinese player secured the next three. While Williams, who notched two centuries, briefly narrowed the gap to 4-3, an inadvertent red potted while attempting the pink handed Pang a crucial advantage in the subsequent frame. Williams was then penalized for missing a long red in the ninth frame, sealing his fate.

“I played pretty poor. That’s how it is now – I either play well or terrible,” Williams told reporters following his defeat. “I have no grumbles. He was the better player.”

Robertson, who experienced a dip in form earlier this year, falling to 28th in the world rankings, has demonstrated a remarkable resurgence. Now ranked third globally, he also leads snooker’s one-year prize money list, thanks in part to his victory at the Saudi Arabia Masters.

Amidst complaints from several players regarding table conditions, Robertson has voiced his support for the tighter pockets, believing they offer a more authentic test reminiscent of his early career. “I feel as though the last 10 years there have been much more events with much bigger pockets,” Robertson explained. “You have a group of players who can play great even on those pockets and a group that can’t play great on those pockets. What I’ve seen is a lot of misses that I used to see in my first 10 years as a professional.”

He further added, “There are too many matches where people make three or four centuries and you think ‘did they actually reach that level of quality’?” Robertson believes the current conditions are “keeping everyone honest” and that many professionals appreciate the change, especially after experiencing “inflated results” in venues like China. “It is like someone going out and shooting 14 under par in a round of golf because the course is just way too easy,” he concluded.