German Masters: Neil Robertson completes whitewash win over Stuart Bingham

After dropping just one frame in the first round, Robertson stepped up another level with breaks of 110 and 104 to beat his fellow former world champion, who registered a total of just 71 points.

Bingham had chances throughout the first two frames and again in the third, but missing a straightforward blue there effectively ended what was a tame challenge.

It is not an event which has been especially kind to Robertson, who failed to qualify for it either side of a first-round defeat to Ben Woollaston two years ago.

This time, however, he means business, with last month's effort in the Masters in London a precursor to what looks a strong title bid in Berlin.

David Gilbert is next for Robertson after his dream run continued with a 5-4 victory over Mark Selby.

Gilbert registered snooker's 147th maximum break in the Championship League a week ago, and now finds himself in amongst some of the sport's biggest names having booked a quarter-final spot.

Selby had looked close to his best a day earlier and breaks of 83, 68 and 126 to give him a 3-1 lead confirmed he remained in good nick.

Gilbert's frame had come courtesy of an excellent 139, though, and he then rattled off four in succession to take a 4-3 lead before Selby forced a decider, which itself when all the way to the final black.

Ding Junhui overcame compatriot Xiao Guodong 5-4, having seen a 4-1 lead eroded before taking the decider with a break of 68.

A century break along the way confirmed Ding to be in good heart and he'll next face Duane Jones, the Welshman who got the better of Yuan SiJun 5-3.

Yuan had been fortunate to make the last-16 after edging past John Higgins on Thursday. After potting the black ball to win the match, the youngster turned around to shake the hand of his opponent - which meant the cue ball collided with the rest he'd left on the table.

Higgins told Eurosport that the right man had gone through, officials having stated that the match is considered over when a handshake has taken place.