Neil Robertson continues winning streak with World Grand Prix glory
Neil Robertson secured his second ranking title in the space of three weeks at the 2020 World Grand Prix by defeating Graeme Dott 10-8 in the final in Cheltenham.
Robertson, who claimed the European Masters title before finishing runner-up in the German Masters, continued his blistering spell of form to pick up his 18th ranking title.
The world number two looked to be coasting to victory as he opened up a 9-5 lead, only for Dott to battle back with three consecutive frames to force a tense finish.
Robertson, however, held his nerve to get over the line and extend Dott’s 13-year wait for a third ranking title.
“I got into a little bit of trouble in Austria for winning the final 9-0 so when I was 9-5 up and cruising I thought it could be another early night!” admitted Robertson.
“One slight positional shot and that was it, Graeme’s safety was.. I didn’t feel like playing anymore, I was in trouble all the time!
“Graeme is not a World Champion for nothing and he showed his absolute class.
“It’s an incredible run, you don’t really have many spells like this in your career, it’s been a great few weeks.”
Robertson made the first of his five century breaks in the final in frame four as he cleared with 127 to level at two apiece.
The ton triggered a run of four consecutive frames as he added breaks of 110 and 58 in establishing a 5-2 advantage.
However, Dott kept himself in the match by edging frame eight to trail by two at the close of play in the first session.
The 2006 World Champion then clinched the first frame of the evening with a break of 62, but only for Robertson to reply with a clinical 102 to make it 6-4.
Dott hit back with a break of 88 in frame eleven but was restricted to just one point in the next three frames as Robertson ran riot with a tournament high break of 142, plus 69 and 101 to storm clear.
Robertson had a chance to seal frame and match in frame 15 but Dott seized his reprieve to make it 9-6 before battling his way to another frame to apply the pressure.
An astonishing moment then saw Robertson make a 69 break to leave Dott requiring two snookers, but the tenacious Scot produced a series of sensational safeties to force his opponent into surrendering the lead and eventually the frame.
Dott, however, lost control of frame 18 early on and saw his gallant efforts ended as Robertson hauled himself over the line for World Grand Prix glory.
“I never really thought I was involved in the match,” Dott told ITV Sport. “I thought Neil was phenomenal all the way through.
“Neil was playing like a robot, it was so hard to stay with him but when it gets to the end you’ve got half a chance and I did have a few chances there.
“He thoroughly deserved to win, he was different class.
“Neil wins tournaments every week, I win mine every 13 years!”
The victory pockets Robertson £100,000 and sees him move above Mark Selby into sixth on the all-time list of ranking title winners.