China’s Yan Bingtao eclipses Ding Junhui with Masters debut win
- ‘Like playing Steve Davis in his prime,’ Neil Robertson says after losing to Chinese world No 11 in Milton Keynes
- ‘He is fully capable of winning these events,’ world No 2 says of Yan, who faces Stephen Maguire in quarter-finals
Chinese snooker hope Yan Bingtao came from behind to beat world No 2 Neil Robertson at the Masters in Milton Keynes, England, sealing the final frame to win 6-5 and eclipsing Ding Junhui in winning on his tournament debut.
“I am quite surprised that on my debut Masters appearance, I have also beaten Neil Robertson, who has just won the UK Championship. I am very happy with the result and also playing so well in the decider,” Yan told the World Snooker Tour website after his win.
Robertson had high praise for the 20-year-old, who rallied from behind on more than one occasion before winning with some expert safety.
“Yan did really well, especially in that last frame,” the Australian said afterwards. “It was like playing Steve Davis in his prime, tactically he was very good. He is fully capable of winning these events.”
Yan, appearing in his first Masters, was 3-1 down to the winner of last month’s UK Championship and on the verge of it being 4-1 before Robertson missed a black.
The world No 11 rallied to make it 3-2, but the Australian came back to lead 5-3 and leave Yan looking at the exit in his first Masters appearance.