Neil Robertson described it as the “greatest Masters match ever” but it was Judd Trump who went through to the semi-finals of the Dafabet-sponsored event with an incredible 6-5 victory.

It was a wonderful contest at Alexandra Palace as two of snooker’s most powerful forces clashed head-on. Trump made four centuries and Robertson two, making it the first best-of-11 frame match in the sport’s history to feature six tons. Fittingly, the tie was settled by a stunning break from Trump in the deciding frame.

The 26-year-old from Bristol is through to the Masters semis for the second time and will meet Barry Hawkins tomorrow with the chance to reach his first final.

Since winning the UK Championship and reaching the World final in 2011, Trump’s record in the Triple Crown events has been relatively poor; his only other final coming at the UK in 2014 when he lost to Ronnie O’Sullivan. Having worked hard on his game over the Christmas break, the gifted young cueman is now determined to improve that record and win his first title of any sort since the World Grand Prix last March.

The opening frame today was a cagey affair, Trump taking it with a break of 48, before the fireworks started. World number five Trump knocked in a 104 to go 2-0 up, then Australia’s Robertson took the third frame then made a 139 for 2-2.

Again Trump opened up a two frame lead, thanks to runs of 105 and 78, and again his opponent recovered, winning the seventh with a break of 100 and the eighth with 41 and 29. A total clearance of 140, the new front runner for the £10,000 high break prize, made it 5-4 to Trump before Robertson levelled with a 78.

A brief safety exchange early in the decider ended when Trump brilliantly potted a thin cut on a red to a blind centre pocket, and Robertson could do nothing more than watch as the Englishman executed a series of cracking pots. Trump almost missed a blue to centre early in the break – the ball bounced out of the pocket before dropping back in – but he remained in control and went on to make a match-winning 129.