Go Robbo Go!
Neil Robertson upheld his unbeaten run in ranking event finals to four and hoisted aloft the Grand Prix Claret Jug for the second time in four years as he swept aside China’s Ding Junhui at The Kelvin Hall in Glasgow.
The Australian has now won a ranking title every year since 2006 and has moved up to number three in the provisional world rankings.
He dedicated the win, to a young follower of his called Chloe. Robertson told BBC’s John Parrott, “Chloe followed my career and wanted to come to to tournaments but unfortunately lost her battle with cancer just before I played Ronnie [O’Sullivan] in the Premier League, so this win is definitely for Chloe and her family”,
It was far from a 'classic' and the winner described it as "tough match-play snooker".
The ‘Thunder from Down Under’ lived up to his billing as he clapped a century break in the opening frame of the final, his sixth of the tournament and 99th of his professional career.
The second frame quickly followed and although took a three-frames-to-two lead, that was the last time he was really in the match.
Robertson levelled at 3-3 before making his hundredth century break with a 108 to lead at the mid session interval.
China’s number one sneaked the opening frame of the evening but Robertson never looked back and reeled off five in a row for a great win.
“I am delighted to win, I think the match against John Higgins in the semi-final was the first time I have played in a match the way I know I can. And to do it in front of the home crowd made it even better”.
Ding was naturally disappointed with the way he played in the final but overall was “pleased” with a return to form.
