Neil Robertson was downed by Jak Jones in the last 16 at the Crucible (Picture: Getty Images)
Neil Robertson has warned Mark Allen that he will be in for a tough test against Jak Jones in the World Championship quarter-finals, if the Welshman can keep up form he showed in the last 16.
Jones pulled off a huge upset against Robertson at the Crucible, beating the former world champion 13-7 with a hugely impressive performance.
It was something of a shock that the 29-year-old even qualified for the Crucible, beating Adam Duffy, Robbie Williams and Barry Hawkins to make it to the iconic venue for the first time.
He then shocked German Masters champion Ali Carter in his opening round and followed that up by ousting the superb Australian.
Robertson had no excuse and was full of praise for the Welshman, especially with how he played in the opening two sessions of their match, which he feels was form that is enough to trouble the in-form Allen in the quarter-finals.
‘Looking at the players he beat to qualify. Beat Barry Hawkins in the last round and beat Ali here. He did all the simple things really, really well. I know what he’s like anyway, I’ve played him before, I know how tough he is,’ Robertson told the BBC after the defeat.
‘He’s improved a lot as a player, consistently as well. His safety was incredible throughout the match.
‘I put him in awkward positions a number of times and I came back to the table almost in a worse position.
It is another Crucible disappointment for Robertson, who has not been past the quarter-finals since 2014 (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I just couldn’t create the openings to make the frames open. A few scrappy frames in there but I also made it a little bit too easy for him, not doing anything wrong or reckless, but for whatever reason he was having easy openers to start breaks.
‘Today [Saturday] he was there for the taking. If he carried on playing the way he did yesterday, if I didn’t get many chances, it would have been easier [to take].
‘He held himself together well and a great break in the last frame, he’ll be a tough match for Mark Allen if he can play the way he did yesterday.’
Jones has been remarkably composed on his Crucible debut and is certainly not afraid of taking on the UK champion in the next round.
‘I felt really good, felt good practicing before the match yesterday, and managed to take it into the match, which was nice,’ he said.
On his impressive composure, he said: ‘I suppose it’s just everything I’ve been through probably in the game, from turning pro at 16, lots of downs, but I feel like I don’t allow the experience to get to me as much as maybe other debutants, but I don’t know.
‘I feel like I’m closer to playing my practice games in matches. If you can do it at the Crucible it’s a bonus.
‘Mark’s probably the best player of the season. Neil was talked about as the form player in the tournament. They’re all such good players, try my best, hopefully play well and see where it takes me.’
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‘He’ll be a tough match for Mark Allen.’