Snooker: O'sullivan Cracked By Australian Potter Robertson

Neil Robertson, a 24-year-old Australian who had lost his previous five world- ranking quarter-finals, reached his first semi with a 5-1 win over Ronnie O'Sullivan in the Royal London Grand Prix.

"You have to give the geezer credit. He hardly missed a ball and when he did I didn't punish him. He was on fire and against someone like that you can't turn up with your B game" said O'Sullivan.

"That wasn't too far off my very best," said Robertson. "I've scored more heavily and played more explosively, but to do that against Ronnie on a big stage has to make it my best-ever performance."

The only features in the opening frame were 31 and 32 breaks by Robertson, who was to benefit from a fluked double of the yellow which left him perfectly on the green as he led 2-0. With 69, O'Sullivan accounted for the third and also led in the fourth before misjudging a safety. He did not score again in the entire match.

Robertson, an outstanding potter, has been threatening a breakthrough for two or three seasons. The 2003 World Under-21 champion, he has worked his way to 13th in the world rankings through practising six hours a day, six days a week.

There will be an even newer face in the other semi-final in Jamie Cope, a 21-year-old qualifier from Stoke who has already doubled his career earnings this week. To the £20,000 bonus for his 147 in the round robin stage and the £4,000 highest-break prize he can now add at least £15,000 as a semi-finalist through beating the experienced Joe Perry 5-4 on the final pink.

There are many talented young players but Cope, with his flair and fearless potting, may have the X factor. His unique claim to fame is that he is the only player in a witnessed practice frame to make a 155 break, a feat made possible by means of a free ball with all 15 reds remaining. He has also made a 151 and 108 147s.

Cope led 4-2 but made crucial errors as he lost the seventh. Perry's second century of the afternoon, 119, following his 102 in the third frame, saw him level at 4-4 but tension took a heavy toll on both players in the nip-and-tuck decider before Perry's safety error gave Cope his chance for victory. "I had a few chances to finish it off and didn't take them and that added to the pressure," said Cope.