Former world champion Stuart Bingham continued his fine form at the China Open as he ousted Graeme Dott 6-2 to tee-up a quarter-final with Neil Robertson. Bingham was king at the Crucible Theatre in 2015 when he overcame Shaun Murphy to become world champion, the only player in the last four years to puncture Mark Selby’s run of three world crowns in four years.
Earlier this week Bingham overcame Ricky Walden 6-5 in China to book his place in the 2018 World Championship in Sheffield later this month. That was a relief for the world number 13, with Bingham suggesting the ‘pressure was off’ and that he could now enjoy the rest of the tournament. That showed as he downed 2006 world champion Dott in the last-16. Bingham lost a scrappy opener before a break of 69 levelled matters and he edged in front by way of winning another close-fought third frame. It was then that the Basildon-born potter was able to move through the gears as breaks of 66, 105 and 50 gave him a commanding advantage. The gritty Scot responded with an 86 of his own but Bingham again fought for frame eight as both had their chances to claim it, and duly won 6-2.
Robertson, the 2010 world champion, awaits in the quarter-finals after the ‘Thunder from Down Under’ powered past Zhou Yuelong in a barrage of potting to win 6-1. Robertson knocked in breaks of 110, 68, 74 and 72 while the 20-year-old Chinese delighted his supporters with a 122-century break of his own though it wasn’t enough to stem the tide for long. Bingham is 17/2 to repeat his 6-2 scoreline against Robertson in the last eight while the Australian starts as 4/5 favourite to win the match and is 11/2 to win 6-3.