Snooker: Neil Robertson crowned Master champion after defeating Shaun Murphy

Published on Monday 23 January 2012 01:34

Neil Robertson was crowned 2012 BGC Masters champion after defeating Shaun Murphy 10-6 in last night’s final at Alexandra Palace.

The Cambridge-based Australian, 29, was in magnificent form during a dominant second session, winning four successive frames to establish an unassailable position.

A high-quality and tense first session ebbed and flowed, but it was Robertson who finished the stronger, winning the final two frames to secure a confidence-building 5-3 lead. And the man from Melbourne grew in confidence as the match progressed, completing his seventh victory in the seven rankings finals he has contested.

“I think that a good start was really important,” Robertson said. “I was quite lucky to be in there at three-all and after that I think I played some really good match snooker.

“It means a lot. After the World Championship this is the tournament I really wanted to win. My path to the final definitely hasn’t been easy but I’ve stuck to it, played some really good stuff and I’m over the moon.

“At the start of the season I wanted to get to the latter stages of most of the events. To win the Masters has made the season for me really.”

Ranked number four in the world, Robertson displayed few chinks in his armour with a fleeting late fightback from Murphy failing to halt the procession.

Murphy needed to respond early in the second session after slipping 5-3 behind and he did exactly that with two commanding visits to the table forcing Robertson to concede the ninth.

But Murphy, ranked sixth in the world, looked on thoughtfully as Robertson produced a brave 101 to restore his two frame-lead. In an 11th frame notable for a succession of errors from both players, Robertson won the war of attrition that marked the closing stages of the frame.

The emphasis on safety continued into the 12th and it was Robertson who broke the deadlock with a wonderful red to the middle right pocket. It was the opening shot of a break of 76 that placed him 8-4 ahead.

Murphy made an encouraging start to the 13th, but once more his lack of accuracy cost him, Robertson profiting with another break of 76.

Murphy won the next frame in double quick time and took the 15th as well, with a break of 86. But Robertson then amassed a break of 70 in the 16th frame, only to miss a simple red.

Murphy could not capitalise, however, and upon his return to the table Robertson closed out the game, raising his hands and cue aloft as he celebrated his first Masters title.

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