Neil Robertson secured his spot in the last-32 of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters after defeating 17-year-old Gong Chenzhi. The Australian veteran put on a clinical display, making a century and coming close to another to seal a 5-1 victory.

Setting up a showdown with old rival Mark Selby, Robertson showcased his undeniable qualities with breaks of 103, 94, and 72. Despite a challenging 2023/24 season, missing out on the World Championship, Robertson seemed in fine form against his young opponent.

Starting strong with a break of 47, Robertson maintained his lead throughout the match. Gong, however, showed resilience, particularly in frame two with an impressive clearance of 87. Despite his efforts, Gong was unable to match Robertson’s consistency.

In frame three, a missed red by Gong opened the door for Robertson, who capitalized with a break of 72 to regain control. Although Robertson had the opportunity for back-to-back centuries, he settled for a 94 break as he moved closer to victory.

Gong fought back in the sixth frame, showcasing his skills with a wonderful shot down the side cushion. However, an error allowed Robertson to take advantage and secure his place in the next round.

Meanwhile, Jack Lisowski displayed his class with a 5-2 win over Martin O’Donnell, including breaks of 103, 103, 95, and 92. Lisowski will face Jak Jones in the upcoming round, while a highly anticipated match between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Lei Peifan is set to take place on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Stuart Bingham and Si Jiahui also secured victories, setting up matches against Ding Junhui and Tom Ford, respectively. With the competition heating up, fans can expect more thrilling encounters in the days to come at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.