Neil Robertson’s magical 147 break was in vain as the tournament favourite was stunned by Jack Lisowski 13-12 in a dramatic decider on a night of incredible Crucible drama. 

Australian Robertson produced a superb 12th maximum break at the iconic Sheffield theatre and looked destined for the quarter-finals after taking a 12-11 lead. 

But the inspired Lisowski fought back and was nerveless in the Crucible cauldron to make a decisive winning break and seal the biggest win of his career.

Robertson crashed out in undoubtedly the biggest upset of this year’s World Championship and thrilled Lisowski revelled in a memorable victory over the season’s most in-form player. 

“I beat the best player in the world who is playing some of the greatest snooker we’ve seen,” Lisowski said.

“It feels like a massive achievement for me and the best of my career so far. 

“There’s so much pressure out there but I felt like I held it together really well. I made a great clearance to take it to a decider and finished off so well at the end.

“It was an amazing atmosphere and when I potted the last red, I was shocked.

“I didn’t think it would be possible to beat Neil in a decider at the start of the week and now I’m inspired.

“It’s so exciting to be in the quarter-final and now I’m trying to win it, why not?”

Robertson’s magical maximum came in the 19th frame, where he became the eighth player to achieve snooker perfection at the sport’s spiritual home. 

The world number three claimed a share of the £15,000 high-break prize with 2006 champion Graeme Dott, who made a 147 in qualifying, plus a further £40,000 for achieving the feat at the Crucible. 

Defeated Robertson said: “The 147 was unreal. It felt like I had 1,000 people on my shoulders urging me to do it and I cleared up the colours perfectly.

He added: “Jack played the absolute match of his life. Full compliments to him and how well he played.

“It was an unbelievable match and it wasn’t about winning or losing but playing the way I want to play.

“I’ve had a season of absolute dreams and if I’d have gone on to win the tournament here it would have been the greatest season anyone has had in the sport.”

On the other table, Lisowski’s close friend Judd Trump survived a thrilling fightback from Scotland’s Anthony McGill to seal his spot in the last eight.

Trump led 10-6 heading into the concluding session but gutsy McGill claimed five of the first seven frames to trail 12-11. 

But 2019 champion Trump held on to win a nervy final frame and set up a quarter-final clash against Stuart Bingham.

Lisowski, meanwhile, takes on four-time champion John Higgins in his first ever Crucible quarter-final.