Robertson labels Champion of Champions final: 'Best match I've been involved in'

Neil Robertson believes his 10-9 win in the Champion of Champions final over Judd Trump was the best match he has ever played in.

The Australian made five centuries in a thrilling contest which saw the beaten finalist also knock in three tons in front of the Coventry crowd.

It was a see-saw contest which looked to be swinging the way of the world champion who was 9-8 ahead and having made a break of 69 in the 17th frame.

It was the nature of game for Robertson to bounce back, though, as he got the snooker he required, forced a re-spotted black and took the match to a decider.

The momentum was with the Aussie at that stage and he rolled in a sensational 137 to claim the title and he was rightly delighted with his victory.

‘I was semi-unconscious potting the winning balls and just clearing up there,’ said Robertson.

‘To play a match like that, It’s the best match I’ve been involved in and for a lot of people it’s probably the best match they’ve ever seen.

‘The standard overall was incredible, it had everything. Couple of frames on the black, those last two there, I dug in really deep to force a decider.

‘Against many other players the match would have been done and dusted halfway through the second session.

‘It was a great credit to both of us, we never backed down, we kept playing the shots and that’s the sort of snooker people want to see these days.

‘I think a lot of people watching it will have got a buzz out of it.

‘It’s one of those rare genuine occasions where you have to say it is unfortunate to have a loser in the match. It was just a brilliant match all round.’

Trump was magnanimous in defeat despite the agonising nature of the loss and praised the Aussie as the better player.

‘Obviously it was good to play in, the standard was very good throughout,’ said the world number one. ‘It was up and down at times tonight, we were both missing a few and Neil scored the heavier when he needed to.

‘I think overall Neil deserved to win, I think he played the better snooker over the two sessions.

‘I’m not too disappointed, Neil played the better snooker tonight, I got outplayed. It’s always a joy playing Neil, he plays the game the right way, he gets on with it, sees the ball, goes for it and clears up.

‘Disappointed to lose obviously from the position I was in, but I had a bit of luck before that, onwards and upwards really and look forward to the next tournament.’

Robertson returned the compliments to his beaten opponent, saying: ‘Can I say to Judd, what a world champion he’s been, he’s really matured as a player and a person away from the table. He’s cut out the nights away in Vegas.

‘It’s important to conduct yourself as a champion when you win, but more importantly when you lose and I think that was a perfect example of Judd right there.’

Both men head to Belfast for the Northern Ireland Open which begins on Monday.

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