LEGACY is driving Neil Robertson on to a second Betway UK Championship crown after he held off a surging John Higgins in the match of the tournament at the York Barbican.

The world number three, who has won every major title in snooker, revealed securing his place in history is motivating him to try and take the trophy and the £150,000 prize for the second time in three years.

In a classic last eight clash the Australian described as feeling like a final, Higgins knocked in three century breaks, including his 600th career ton, but was still unable to dislodge his opponent as he went down 6-5.

Robertson, who beat Mark Selby in the Minster city two years ago, was just good enough in a nervy decider and, as he prepares for today's semi-final, the 33-year-old wants to add his name to a prestigious list.

Only seven other players have won the UK Championship more than once - including legends of the game Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan - and Robertson is keen to join their number.

Robertson said: "Not too many people have done that (winning twice in three years). I have won kind of everything in the game - the Champion of Champions was the next big title that I really wanted to win - so I am just trying to repeat the success.

"I have to motivate myself every season now to win things I have already won and just to build my own legacy - to try end my career as high up as I possibly can."

Higgins raced out of the blocks with 119 in the opener but, as he had against Stephen Maguire in his 6-1 victory in the previous round, Robertson took the next three frames in emphatic fashion - helped by runs of 106, 59 and 71.

When a break of 56 put him 4-1 in front, Higgins' fate seemed certain to be the same as his Scottish compatriot.

But bidding for a fourth UK crown, he displayed huge resolve - stopping Robertson's run with 69 before producing two immaculate breaks of 134 to level the encounter.

It was scoring that looked to give Higgins the momentum but, after missing a red into the green pocket and then spurning a crucial green into the middle bag later in the frame, Robertson showed enough composure to clinch the match,

Asked whether the game felt like a final rather than a quarter-final encounter, Robertson added: "I guess we have won the biggest two tournaments of the season so I guess it did have that feel about it. Certainly, the first six or seven frames definitely reflected on how good we have been playing throughout the season."

He continued: "It was just one of those deciders. I got in and I went into the pack and didn't really land on a ball very well. I missed a couple - he missed a couple - of awkward shots.

"He knocked in a brilliant long red and, luckily for me, he missed a semi tricky green into the middle. I almost made a meal of it but I am very relieved to get through and looking forward to getting ready (for today)."

Higgins said: "The glaring chance was the red into the green bag. That was the main chance in the game and I missed that.

"I didn't put a good stroke and twitched that. With the green at the end, it was a bad contact coming down for the red and that's what happens - the balls go against you when you do have a good chance and muck it up. I've no complaints."

"Not really," he added when asked whether he had the momentum in the decider following his thrilling fight back. "I don't think I potted a long ball all game and that's not good enough at this level. I think I missed every long ball that I went for.

"I scored okay in and around the balls but you can't afford to do that against the top guys and that's what Neil is. He deserved to win."