Neil Robertson beats Jack Lisowski to reach Daqing final

Neil Robertson will play Mark Allen in the final of the International Championship in China following a 9-7 victory over Jack Lisowski.

The 2010 world champion, chasing the 15th ranking title of his career, shared the opening 10 frames with Englishman Lisowski during an absorbing contest in Daqing.

Breaks of 54 and 119 helped the 36-year-old Australian win the next three frames to put himself one frame away from victory.

Lisowski, beaten by Robertson in the Riga Masters final in July, rallied and a knock of 133 – the highest of the match and 100th century of the tournament – followed by a break of 60 reduced the deficit to one.

But the 27-year-old could not complete the comeback and Robertson progressed after taking the 16th frame with a score of 67.

Masters champion Allen awaits Robertson in Sunday’s final following his 9-6 victory over Matthew Stevens on Friday.

“It has been a fantastic start to the season for me, it’s good to follow up the win in Riga with another final,” Robertson told the World Snooker website.

“I’ve had a really tough draw this week and come through it well.

“There is one more big hurdle tomorrow against Mark Allen. He’s a world class player and we always enjoy our matches.”