Mark Williams labelled Neil Robertson as the world's best player after Ronnie O'Sullivan 's shock defeat at the English Open.
Three-time world champion Williams hit two centuries - including a historic 147 - in an epic quarter-final match but was eventually downed 5-3 by the brilliant Robertson at the Brentwood Centre.
Williams, 47, became the oldest player to make a competitive maximum break against Robertson in the fourth frame, but could do little to stop the Thunder from Down Under from storming into the semi-finals in Essex.
Defending champion Robertson put on a break-building clinic in a high-quality battle between two of snooker's finest talents. The Australian fired three centuries and had further runs of 97 and 73 to overpower Williams in a classic.
Meanwhile, seven-time Crucible king O'Sullivan was knocked out by regular practice partner Martin Gould in a shock second round result.
The Rocket has looked rusty in the two recent Home Nations events and is still searching for his first ranking title of the season after claiming two prestigious invitational wins at the Hong Kong Masters and the Champion of Champions.
Williams has long been unequivocal in his opinion that O'Sullivan is the greatest ever and can't be beaten when he is at his irrepressible best. But the Welshman insists the ruthless scoring of fellow left-hander Robertson makes him the man to beat on current form.
“I didn’t do much wrong,” Williams told Eurosport afterwards. “In the last frame, he was a little bit lucky to come off the pack... flicked a red, could have left me in, I could have made a break.
"And the very next shot, I did the same as him, had a bad flick, left him a red and he cleared up. That’s how tight it was. Breaks going in for fun.
"That’s why he’s the best player in the world at the minute. His scoring ability, there’s no one in the same league as him at the minute. Every time he gets in he doesn’t look like he’s going to miss.”
Robertson's dazzling performance set up a tantalising semi-final clash against Mark Selby, who rallied to overcome Ali Carter 5-3 in Brentwood.
But Robertson insisted he can't afford to give four-time world champion Selby any incentive after a critical assessment of his fine display against Williams.
"It was a great match, like a lot I’ve played this year,” he said. “Seems to be that I’m bringing out the best of my opponent in every match I play.
“I like playing like that, it’s nice but it’s a bit of a problem if people keep playing so well against me. I know they have to raise their game but I think I’m giving away too many easy starters occasionally.”
