NeIL Robertson reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Goldfields Open for the first time with a routine 5-3 victory over Jamie Cope.
Robertson (above) had not previously progressed beyond the last 16 in his home tournament, but hit back after losing the first frame yesterday to win four of the next five against Cope, which included breaks of 82, 83 and 91.
The left-handed cueist then sealed victory in the eighth frame courtesy of a break of 68. dominic dale also made it into the last eight following a 5-2 triumph over Fergal O'Brien and will now face either Shaun Murphy or Marco Fu, who booked his place in the last 16 with a comfortable 5-2 win over former world champion Ken doherty.
Fu rattled off the first three frames with a highest score of 60 before doherty narrowed the deficit with a 116 break. however, Fu responded in kind with a century break of his own before sealing victory in the seventh frame.
Paul davison failed to seize his opportunity against Mark davis after being edged out 5-4 in a match that lasted over four hours. davison led 4-3 and was 60-20 ahead in the eighth frame but davis recovered to level before again coming from behind in the decider to nick it.
Meanwhile, Ali Carter has revealed he is "not out of the woods yet" after being told his testicular cancer scare requires further investigation. news of Carter's illness was announced on July 1 with the 33-year-old undergoing an operation the following day.
The two-time world finalist said the operation had gone well and he had been advised to rest for a month, but writing on Twitter yesterday he revealed that further treatment was on the cards following a follow-up appointment yesterday morning.
"Further investigation is required," Carter wrote.
"Seeing oncologist friday now to talk through treatment options. So not out the woods yet!
"But staying positive and a big Thank-you to all my friends and followers for your continued support!"
The cancer diagnosis is a further health scare for Carter to deal with, having been diagnosed with Crohn's disease back in 2003.
Carter, the world number 15, is a three-time ranking event winner and lost both of his world finals to Ronnie O'Sullivan.