Snooker: Ronnie O'Sullivan went out of the Welsh Open to Neil Robertson this afternoon. The Australian left-hander's latest high-profile success came less then 24 hours after he had proved too strong for Stephen Hendry.
The 25-year-old from Melbourne, who won 5-4 today, beat O'Sullivan at the corresponding stage of the Grand Prix in October - and went on to lift that trophy.
Robertson is now two wins away from becoming the first multiple ranking event champion in a season since O'Sullivan triumphed in the Grand Prix, Welsh Open and Irish Masters in 2004/05.
"Nowadays it's hard just to win one, so two in such a short space of time would be fantastic," said Robertson, who now faces Steve Davis or Anthony Hamilton.
Aided by back-to-back century breaks, 122 and 109, O'Sullivan led 4-3 but missed a pink early in the eighth frame — and Robertson swooped with a run of 124.
On 45 in the decider, O'Sullivan jawed a relatively straightforward red — and Robertson, again displaying a cool temperament, fashioned his match-clinching 39 clearance.
O'Sullivan was phlegmatic after his defeat.
"I'm disappointed, but it's only one match," he said. "Here, I've been working on a few things to broaden the boundaries of my game. I'll do the same at the China Open — then it's off to Sheffield for the one that really matters.
"I've got no complaints. I've gone from really struggling to feeling half in control of my game."