Judd Trump 9–10 Neil Robertson
47-69, 0-112 (112), 86-8 (86), 50-71 (56), 121-0 (121), 127-0 (127), 119-0 (119), 0-96, 0-124 (111), 75-36, 0-104 (104), 70-58, 84-7 (84), 36-91 (81), 75-41 (62), 0-135 (135), 62-60, 69-76 (Trump 69), 0-137 (137)
Neil Robertson won a brilliant ManBetX Champion of Champions final, making his fifth century of the match in the deciding frame of the final against Judd Trump at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.
It is the second time Robertson has won this title, after lifting the trophy in 2015, and it was the third match in the tournament which the Australian had won in the deciding frame. The final was one of the highest quality from both players, with eight centuries made in the 19 frames played, and it was fitting that the match went all the way.
Robertson had led 5-4 after the first session, in which Trump had made three consecutive centuries to lead from 3-1 down.
Trump soon made it 5-5 before Robertson’s lead was restored with a 104 which had the audience anticipating a maximum before the Australian missed his 14th red to the middle. Trump took the next two to lead again and from there they took alternate frames to 8-8. At the end of the 17th, Trump got the snooker he required with just three balls remaining and was one up with two to play.
His opportunity for the win came in the next fame and he looked set for victory until he missed on a break of 69. Robertson required one snooker, and the remaining balls, to tie the frame. With one red remaining he got the snooker required and subsequently forced the respot and then took the frame after Trump took on a tough long pot, missed it and left a cut to the middle with which Robertson held his nerve.
In the deciding frame The Thunder From Down Under made a brilliant 137 for the title, and £150,000 first price.
“To play a match like that, the pair of us, it is the best match I have ever been involved in and I’m sure a lot of people here would say it is probably the best match they have ever seen,” said Robertson. “The standard was incredible.
“There were a lot of centuries, a couple of frames went down to the black and I had to dig deep to force the decider. If you had told Judd and I before the match that this would be the standard we would play, against a lot of other players it would have been done and dusted halfway through the second session.
“It was a great credit to both of us; we never backed down, kept played the shots and that’s the sort of snooker people want to see. I am sure everybody watching got a great buzz. This is one of the few genuine occasions where you can say it is unfortunate to have a loser in the match.
“This is the first time [daughter] Penelope has seen me win. She doesn’t really know what’s going on, she’s only seven months old! It is really special for me. When she was born I wanted to win more tournaments so she could be there as well and it’s the best feeling in the world when you can win tournaments and share those moments with your family.”
The 2020 Champion of Champions will be staged at Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes from November 2-8. Tickets go on sale this Monday, November 11 priced from just £11 per session at www.championofchampionssnooker.co.uk.
