Robertson plans to put Ronnie on the back burner

The gifted young Australian has already toppled world No 3 O'Sullivan twice this season — in the Grand Prix and the Welsh Open — and gone on to win both trophies to hoist himself to provisional world No 7.

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Aussie Ambush: Robertson (above) has plans to topple Ronnie O'Sullivan

Their Sheffield showdown over 25 frames is the undoubted highlight of the second round, but Robertson last night uttered the two words guaranteed to make O'Sullivan shiver in his seat.

Peter Ebdon's psychological demolition of snooker's greatest natural talent two seasons ago in a hugely controversial quarter-final still looms large when O'Sullivan's demons raise their heads.

Robertson said: "Peter Ebdon has a reputation for slow play and gets criticised for it. But it's part of the game and we have to beat the master technicians to win the World Championship.

"His game plan drew all the sting out of Ronnie's quick-fire game. It drove him up the wall. I remember watching his face as he sat there. He was going bonkers! He asked a fan the time and was totally thrown.

"Peter's style wound him up and Ronnie couldn't handle it. But if you try to play Ronnie's game, you're done for. Nobody's better at it. He's like a machine gun sometimes, but still deadly accurate."

Robertson, whose own game does not lack flair, said: "It's as if he can climb inside your mind with his sheer skill and it blows you away. I like to play like that, but he is unrivalled.

"If things aren't going my way, I am quite willing to switch tactics and take it down to a level where it'll be Ronnie on the ropes. And I'll use Peter's tactics to do it if I have to."

Melbourne born but Cambridge based, Robertson became the first Australian to win a ranking tournament when he beat teenager Jamie Cope to land the Grand Prix title in Aberdeen in September.

The popular 25-year-old lefthander added the Welsh Open in Newport and believes the sporting rivalry with the old country has become a potent element of his armoury.

Robertson said: "Being an Aussie gives me an edge at big tournaments in the UK. Some fans like me but that England- Australia rivalry hands an advantage to a home player against me.

"The supporters will want an Englishman to beat me every day of the week and I thrive on that. Boxers channel their ambition through their fists. Snooker players do it through the mind and the cue.

"It doesn't look as spectacular as a world heavyweight contest but believe me, there's plenty of stuff going on in the mind at a big game at the World Championship.

"I'm really hoping the game will be a treat for fans. I wasn't surprised at Ronnie brushing Ding Junhui aside in the first round. That's why you have to find a way of handcuffing him to give yourself a chance."

Mark Allen, another young gun, emerged with honour after coming under heavy opening fire from Matthew Stevens, who was forewarned by the Ulsterman's debut victory over world No 2 Ken Doherty.

Allen slowly regained his poise and confidence after Stevens pocketed the first four frames of their opening session, hitting two assured centuries to go into today's deciding frames 5-3 down.

Stevens has twice reached the Crucible final, losing to Mark Williams and Shaun Murphy despite a comfortable overnight lead, but came to Sheffield on the back of another mediocre season.

A year ago, he had to beat Joe Swail in the first round to preserve his top-16 status. This season, the 29-year-old former UK champion must reach the semi-finals if he is to remain in the game's elite.

Going into last night's deciders, spirited veteran John Parrott, 42, was neck and neck with 2005 champion Murphy, who had to sit and watch his rival's superb 123 clearance level it at 8-8.

The 1991 champion, who beat old rival Steve Davis in the first round, rolled back the years with breaks of 71 and 68 to force Murphy on to the back foot after taking a 7-4 lead.