Stephen Maguire, who ran out the winner 6-3, and Neil Robertson equalled a circuit record today by compiling five consecutive centuries between them in their Masters quarter-final at Wembley Arena. Only the Ronnie O'Sullivan v Stephen Hendry British Open final in 2003 had previously produced such a beguiling sequence.

For man ranked as the world No2, Maguire has had a quiet season – reaching just two semi-finals in five attempts – but after breaks of 97, 55 and 62 had set up his 3-1 lead, he made the first of his three centuries, 128, in the next frame.

Back-to-back centuries, 122 and 100, promptly followed from Robertson, the Australian left-hander who won November's Bahrain Open to put a third world ranking title to his name after his fallow campaign last year, before Maguire concluded a highly entertaining afternoon with runs of 105 and 113.

Maguire, whose form provided a striking contrast with his struggle to beat Graeme Dott 6-5 from three down with four to play in his previous match here this week, will appear in tomorrow's semi-final against O'Sullivan, who continued his quest for his fourth Masters title by beating Ali Carter 6-2. From 2-2 O'Sullivan engaged overdrive to seize victory with runs of 82, 128, 115 and 91.

Meanwhile the other semi-final, to be played tomorrow afternoon, will bring together Mark Selby, the defending champion, and John Higgins, twice Masters champion and winner of October's Grand Prix in Glasgow.