World Open 2024: Neil Robertson sees off Barry Hawkins for semi-final spot, Ding Junhui sweeps aside Hossein Vafaei

Neil Robertson was in impressive form as he beat Barry Hawkins to reach the 2024 World Open semi-finals in Yushan, China.

The Australian, who has had a difficult season to date, looked back to his best as he reached just a second semi of the campaign following his run at the Shanghai Masters way back in September, and his first in a ranking event since the Scottish Open in 2022.

Robertson was simply too good for a lacklustre Hawkins as he advanced to the final four courtesy of a 5-2 win.

He could hardly have had a better start, taking advantage of an early miss from Hawkins to take the first frame with a blistering 127 break.

A missed long red by Robertson at the start of the second opened the door for Hawkins, but he could only watch as a missed cut-back on a red bounced off the jaws of the bottom-right pocket.

Not waiting around, Robertson made a swift 87 to double his lead.

Hawkins managed to get some momentum at the start of the third but somehow missed the black off the spot, at which point a ruthless and relentless Robertson was on hand to administer the punishment and all of a sudden was 3-0 up with less than an hour played.

Another missed black, this time from the aggressor Robertson, handed Hawkins a lifeline in the fourth which he was able to take to finally get on the scoreboard.

This proved to be just momentary respite, however, as Robertson capitalised on a missed red in the next frame to hit a 115 break and stamp his authority on the match with a 4-1 lead.

But there was still life left in Hawkins, and he was able to take advantage in the sixth and narrow the deficit following a costly missed red from his Australian opponent.

Robertson was able to finish with a flourish, however, sealing victory with a knock of 79 in the seventh.

On the other table, the crowd were treated to a dazzling display from home favourite Ding Junhui, who marched into the semis with a 5-0 whitewash of Hossein Vafaei.

Ding opened up with a break of 73 and withstood some Vafaei pressure in the second to double his lead.

A break of 135 made it 3-0 and while the Iranian threatened something of a fightback in the fourth, Ding managed to capitalise on Vafaei’s missed chances to leave himself one frame from the final four.

Finishing in style, Ding produced another century to the delight of the home faithful.

Defeat for Vafaei – who knocked out Ronnie O’Sullivan in the previous round – will prove costly as it also means he can no longer overtake John Higgins in the race to compete in April’s Tour Championship event.