Neil Robertson trounces Ronnie O’Sullivan in World Open final
Reigning world champion Neil Robertson hammered Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-1 in the snooker World Open final last night in Glasgow.
It is the sixth ranking title of the Australian’s career, and he continues to stun audiences with his attacking style of play and composure around the table. He also kept up his incredible 100% record in ranking event finals.
Having come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the semi-final to an in-form Mark Williams earlier in the day, Robertson showed his true class to destroy the most-naturally gifted player to in the game. O’Sullivan wasn’t at his best, and Robertson was clinical when he was presented with the chances.
The Thunder from Down Under went 2-0 up against O’Sullivan by making breaks of 43 and 107, leaving O’Sullivan with plenty of work to do. However, he responded in typical O’Sullivan fashion by knocking in a fantastic break of 72, which was better than the 147 maximum he made earlier in the week, as the balls were in difficult positions and required perfect positional play.
O’Sullivan might have been thinking he was going to square the match at the mid-session interval, but he missed a simple pink, and those thoughts vanished rapidly, as Robertson made a break of 59 to lead 3-1.
The next frame was crucial for O’Sullivan, and he was under huge pressure to deliver, and when he missed a red into the centre pocket, Robertson once again took his chance and swept into a 4-1 lead, making a break of 66.
Three down with four frames left to play, O’Sullivan now had his back to the wall. When it looked like Robertson would cross the finishing line, he missed a difficult blue on a run of 30. O’Sullivan made 44 in response but missed the second-to-last red, and when he played a terrible safety shot, going in-off with the cueball, the balls were at Robertson’s mercy, and he didn’t disappoint, clearing to finish O’Sullivan off and collect the winners’ cheque for £100,000.
“Ronnie's still my idol, whenever I get knocked out of a tournament I hope he wins it,” said Robertson. “I put him under pressure tonight and made some good breaks out of nothing, particularly the century in the second frame. There were some texts flying around before the final saying that this would be the one I would lose, and that fired me up.
“I'd only had a week and a half of really good practice before this because I've been so busy. I didn't expect to play well until the UK Championship. I've won four BBC tournaments now, so my goals are to win the UK and the Masters and to do better in China. Having a title under my belt early in the season gives me the confidence to go on and win more,” Robertson added.
O’Sullivan will have the 147 he made, or nearly didn’t make, against Mark King to take away from the event, as well as the £40,000 runners-up prize. He knew there was no prize-money for the maximum when he asked referee Jan Verhaas at the time, but he will be happy to take the money and use it wisely.
“I'm always critical of myself but I have to give Neil credit, I take my hat off to him,” said the Rocket. “He's playing like a world champion and world No 1. He's a consistently great cueist, he's confident and good under pressure. When John Higgins comes back they will have a good rivalry.
“I knew someone playing half as well as that would beat me. I was there for the taking and I shouldn't have got to the final. I hit so many bad shots and my good breaks are few and far between,” said O’Sullivan.
Robertson is now the official world No.1 thanks to the new rankings system, which now works as a two-year rolling list. “It means the list is much more up to date and rewards players who are winning tournaments and doing well,” said Robertson in approval of the structure.
“To be world champion and world No 1 at the same time is a dream come true,” added the Australian.
World champion, world No.1 and now the World Open champion. A fine year for Robertson continues.
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