Robertson Holds Off Wu In Thrilling Final
09/23/2024 02:13 AM
Neil Robertson survived a stunning fightback from China's Wu Yize to win the BetVictor English Open final 9-7 and secure his first ranking crown in over two years.
Australia's 2010 World Champion Robertson had looked to be surging to victory when he stormed to an 8-2 lead over his 20-year-old counterpart. However, the talented Wu blitzed back into contention to ensure a nerve shredding finish.
The Thunder from Down Under has endured a trophy drought since his epic 10-9 win over John Higgins at the 2022 Tour Championship. That came during a season where he secured three ranking crowns. However, since then Robertson has struggled to find his form.
After failing to qualify for this year's World Championship, the Melbourne cueman embarked on a summer boot camp to rediscover his brilliant best. He's also been working with fellow professional and close friend Joe Perry in a coaching capacity.
The slump in form saw Robertson enter this week's event ranked 26th in the world, but the £100,000 top prize sees him leap back up to 15th in the world. It means four-time World Champion Higgins loses his spot in the elite 16 for the first time since 1995.
It's been a landmark week for Wu despite the defeat. He breaks into the top 32 for the first time, moving into 31st position. It was Wu's maiden ranking final and he defeated the likes of world number one Judd Trump, Stuart Bingham and Ali Carter to get there.
With today's match seemingly beyond Wu's reach at 8-2, the former Rookie of the Year summoned a dazzling burst to stay in contention. Breaks of 100, 82 and 73 thrilled the Brentwood crowd, who had looked set to only witness a handful of frames this evening.
That left Wu 8-5 behind and a fluked opening red in frame 14 led to a break of 95, which narrowed the gap to just two frames. A contribution of 50 then helped the former World Under-21 Champion to claw within one at 8-7.
The penultimate frame saw the white situated at the black end with both players gradually shifting reds up the table into an ominously open situation.
Robertson eventually fluked a red into the yellow pocket and pounced with a critical break of 55 to leave Wu needing snookers. It was enough to see him edge over the line for the 24th ranking event victory of his career.
"I haven't won for a couple of years and I was looking great at 8-2. I played brilliantly in the first session and capitalised on every minor error he had. I then had everything thrown at me," said 42-year-old Robertson.
"I was trying to use little bits of motivation to stay calm. There wasn't much I could do, because he played amazing. It is just about keeping my composure at all times. You need to be ready for when the chance comes your way and I was.
"This was the last opportunity for me to win with my dad Ian over, before he goes back to Australia. He's a man of very few words, but he will be chuffed to bits tonight. I've spent 20 years as a professional and he's never seen me win a final in person. I'm really happy to get one for him.
"Up until 8-2 in the final, you could argue this was the best I've ever played in a tournament. I controlled so many matches and only conceded five frames to get to the final. I am really pleased with everything. It is nice to get a win with Joe Perry in my corner. There may have been people questioning if it was working with him and this proves it definitely is."
Wu said: "I think for the second half of the match I was into it and under no pressure. I felt really good, but it was a little bit too late. This was my first final, so I felt a bit of pressure in the afternoon.
"I wasn't setting myself any goal in this match. In the last 16 I played Judd and I wanted to beat him. I got my revenge and did that. It was great to play in the final in front of such a great crowd. There are no regrets from me."
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