Robertson stays on course in Australia

At the two previous events in Bendigo, Robertson has crashed out in the second round but rattled in three century breaks against Perry in an impressive performance.

Robertson was flying early with runs of 111 and 102 putting him 2-0 in front.

Perry came from over 40 points down to take the next but Robertson went into the interval with a 3-1 lead after winning a tight fourth.

Perry closed the gap again in the fifth but breaks of 81 and 125 in the final frame wrapped up the win for the world number one who won the only other ranking event played so far this season – the Wuxi Classic.

He will now face Mark Selby in a mouth-watering semi-final after the world number two defeated Mark Davis 5-3.

Selby managed to win the contest despite his high break being only 65.

The other semi-final will be between Marco Fu and Robert Milkins.

Fu was in scintillating form against Dominic Dale as he fired breaks of 131 and 130 in a 5-1 demolition, while Milkins got the better of a scrappy contest with Tom Ford 5-3.

Robert Milkins 5-3 Tom Ford

Neil Robertson 5-2 Joe Perry

Mark Selby 5-3 Mark Davis

Marco Fu 5-1 Dominic Dale