Australian Billiards & Snooker Council

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Robertson Targets Number One Status
12 Oct 2009

Neil Robertson has set his sights on becoming the best player in the world after his tremendous victory over Ding Junhui in snooker's Grand Prix final.

The 27-year-old Australian beat China's Ding 9-4 at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow to win his second Grand Prix crown, becoming the first player from outside Britain & Ireland to win four ranking titles.

Robertson is up to third in the provisional rankings, behind John Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan, and believes that the top spot is not out of reach. "John is long way ahead but I will keep practising hard and give it a go," said Robertson, originally from Melbourne and now based in Cambridge.

"A lot of people say that it's better to be World Champion, but to be World No 1 is an unbelievable achievement and proves that you've been the most consistent player over two years. I've won the Grand Prix twice now, which is our third-biggest ranking event, and I'd like to win one of the UK, Masters and World Championship to put myself up there as a top player."

It was the first ranking final between two non-British players since 1985, and Robertson hopes that the international appeal of snooker will continue to spread. "The game is booming in China and it's great to see Liang Wenbo and Ding in consecutive finals," said the Thunder from Down Under, who has won all four ranking finals he has contested. "It's hard work in Australia because of all the other sports that are popular there, but I am trying my best to create more interest."

Robertson recalled his early years in professional snooker, before he began his rapid rise up the rankings: "Six years ago, if you'd told me I would win four tournaments, I'd have said 'no chance'. I was Ł10,000 in debt to people who had lent me money for trips to amateur events, and when I came to Cambridge I only had Ł500. Survival was my only ambition. It's amazing to come through that, not many people could have done it. It's the same for Ding, he's also had the language and culture gap to deal with, and it's good to see him back on form."

As for tonight's final, Robertson added: "We're both very attacking players so I decided to tighten it up a bit and get him out of his rhythm. I was confident that my cue action would stand up under pressure, and my game plan worked perfectly. The frame to go 5-4 up was massive, I felt confident after that. It's amazing to win a fourth ranking event and to get this title back, I really wanted to win all week. People might have said I'd never beaten a top player in the final, but Ding is world class."

Ding, who broke a run of 38 months without a ranking semi-final but missed out on a fourth title, said: "The ninth frame was important, I missed the brown with the rest. I was still trying hard but Neil didn't miss much and his safety was good. He kept the white close to the cushions and gave me lots of problems. I never gave up - even in the last frame I was still trying my best, but I was losing my concentration, my head was not working.

"I played well in Shanghai and I've played well here. My form and my confidence are coming back, but not every day is good."

By Ivan Hirschowitz
12 October 2009