Neil Robertson will look to keep up his recent excellent form when he takes on Judd Trump in the semi-finals of the Players Championship.

Robertson claimed the Welsh Open last month and marched into the last four of the Preston showpiece with a 6-4 triumph over world champion Mark Williams on Thursday.

It looked set to be a tough encounter at the Guild Hall with the score at two frames apiece, but the 2010 Crucible hero then rattled off three in a row to stand on the verge of the last four.

Williams did rally with back-to-back frames of his own but the ‘Thunder from Down Under’ managed to win a sixth to progress.

It has been an up-and-down season for the Aussie ace, with a run to the semi-finals of the Masters but a few early tournament exits as well and Robertson is expecting a tough tussle.

“My game is really good,” he said. “Myself and Judd are two form players. He is going for the big jackpot but this tournament is big enough as it is so he won’t be thinking about that.”

He did reach the final of the International Championship in China while also making the quarter-finals of the German Masters but will find Trump a tough nut to crack.

The world number five has three victories under his belt this term, including the Masters, while he also took the Northern Ireland Open and the World Grand Prix.

The ‘Juddernaut’ beat Jack Lisowski 6-5 after trailing 5-2 and is looking forward to the rest of the event despite eliminating his good friend.

“I take massive pleasure from beating anyone from 5-2 behind,” said Trump.

“It’s a little bit bittersweet, but still nice to be in with a chance of winning another tournament.”

Trump is priced at 1.57 to win the match while Robertson can be backed at 2.38.