2024 English Open: Neil Robertson Charges into Semis with Top 16 and Masters Return in His Sights
Neil Robertson advances to the English Open semi-finals, focusing on a top 16 comeback and securing a spot at the Masters.
Neil Robertson stormed into the 2024 English Open semi-final with a commanding 5-1 victory over Barry Hawkins. This marks his first semi-final of the season and his first in over a year, since the 2023 Shanghai Masters.
Despite the dominant display, Robertson - like fellow top player Mark Selby - voiced his frustrations with the playing conditions at the Brentwood Centre.
The Brentwood Centre Conditions
Instead of letting the sub-par conditions get to him, Robertson adapted and used them to his advantage, focusing on staying composed rather than ultra-attacking.
“The conditions keep repeating match after match, and I think that shows with the break boards amongst all the players here, no one's really sort of firing on all cylinders,” he told SportsBoom.com.
"It's not to say that players aren't playing really well, it's just if you were to draw a comparison with golf, the par for this course would be something like 85.”
“The pockets are playing tighter, but it's something I’ve embraced. I’ve not tried to force anything or worry about playing great attacking snooker because of the conditions. Like I said, I won’t let that affect my performance.”
Coming Back from Down Under
Robertson’s season turnaround is significant. After a disappointing last year that saw him miss the World Championship in Sheffield for the first time since 2004, he's fallen down the rankings.
But now, he’s on the comeback trail.
Up next? A semi-final clash against Chris Wakelin, where Robertson will fancy his chances.
“Once you're down to the semis, your eyes are sparkling anyway,” said Robertson, adding that the one-table setup makes a huge difference. “It just allows you to really sort of make a real good attack on the title. There's no sort of distractions from any other tables going on, and it's a new cloth tomorrow as well, which should improve things.”
He added, “All four semi-finalists are going to be really hungry to do well this week, and it's just about using my experience and keep doing what I'm doing with the approach that I've had this season.”
Top 16 and Ally Pally Insight
Sitting 25th on the World Snooker Tour rankings, Robertson is well aware of how crucial the £100,000 winner’s prize is. A victory would catapult him back into the top 16, securing him a coveted spot at both the UK Championship and next year’s Masters, personal goals he's been working toward.
“My goal was always to get back into the Masters,” Robertson said.
“I had an awful lot of work to do at the start of the season, and I think I’ve already earned more ranking points this season than the entirety of last.”
After a rough previous season, Robertson feels rejuvenated: “I’ve had a great start to the season, and I’m finally enjoying my snooker again. The day-to-day routine, practice, travel, and being away from the family—I couldn’t handle it last season."
“But this season, my mentality has changed, and I’m back wanting to be here for the sport.”
Robertson is back, and this time, he’s here to make it count.
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