The Final - Tough To Call
Neil Robertson will go into his fourth world ranking event final, against China’s Ding Junhui hoping to maintain his 100% win record later today.
The Thunder from Down Under has been the most impressive player on displat at Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall, making five centuries on route to the final.
After surviving a black-ball decider against world champion, John Higgins, the Aussie left-hander may feel like he dodged a bullet.
“I don’t think I can play any better than that”, said Robertson after Higgins had recovered from 5-3 down to level at 5 a piece. “in my opinion he is the best in the world right now, so I am chuffed to beat him.
Robertson who moves up to number three on the provisional ranking list irrespective of the outcome of today’s match made breaks of 130,128 and 114 in his semi-final and will be looking for much of the same against China’s number one.
“It is great to have two Internationals in the final, it is tough competing all season away from home, so I am pleased for Ding and I am really looking forward to it”.
It is a welcome return to form for Ding, who has never really found the form that brought him three ranking titles as a teenager since two heavy defeats at the hands of Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Many doubted that Ding, a hero in his native country, would veer fully recover, but this week will silence his critics at least for the time being.
It is a hard one to call. Robertson has made more breaks over 50 this week, yet Ding has a more impressive frame percentage and scoring average.
Stats are very interesting, but when it comes down to one-on-one professional sport, it can be all on the day and what has gone before can have little influence.
The bookmakers cannot separate these two, but if Global-Snooker.com were put on the spot and had to make a call, we would go for an Aussie victory!
