Neil Robertson recalls support from major Hollywood film star ahead of latest German Masters title bid

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Neil Robertson has been handed a major boost ahead of his quest for a first German Masters title bid at Berlin's Tempodrom this week. The 2010 world champion was scheduled to take on Chang Bingyu in the first round of the tournament on Monday, but the recent Scottish Open runner-up has withdrawn due to visa problems, handing Robertson a bye and a meeting with Pang Junxu in the last 32.

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Neil Robertson aims to invoke the spirit of epic movie Gladiator when he returns to Berlin's Tempodrom to chase a first German Masters title this week.

The world No. 3 was scheduled to take on recent Scottish Open finalist Chang Bingyu on Monday evening, but Chang has pulled out of the ranking event due to visa issues.

Elsewhere, Wu Yize has also withdrawn due to medical reasons ahead of a meeting with Jordan Brown, who will face Jak Jones in the last 32 on Tuesday night.

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It means Robertson - who lost 9-6 to Judd Trump in the 2020 final in his best run in Berlin - will open his campaign against Pang Junxu in the last 32 in the German capital.

The Melbourne man hopes New Zealand actor Russell Crowe will be taking in the action after Robertson compared the Tempodrom to the Colosseum in Rome following a 6-1 win over Shaun Murphy in the semi-finals.

"I felt like Russell Crowe in Gladiator," said Robertson. "I thought I was going to have to search for a sword and shield and put a helmet on.

"It has that colosseum effect and is the closest thing I’ve seen to the Wembley Conference Centre.

"Alexandra Palace is amazing and the Crucible one-table setup is too, but this is something else because the crowd is really vocal and there are so many people."

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Crowe contacted Robertson after referencing the actor's iconic Oscar-winning role as he recalled on World Snooker Tour.

"Russell Crowe actually tweeted me after that interview," said Robertson, who lost 6-5 to Kyren Wilson in an epic Masters quarter-final at the Ally Pally.

"That was awesome! It was screenshotted instantly that one.

"It was nice to see that interview somehow find his way to him.

"I think when you get down to that semi-final stage the tournament becomes amazing. It is a wonderful venue.

"We have a few now that are a little bit different, and this is one the players are desperate to get to."

Wilson - who defeated Barry Hawkins 10-9 in the last year's final - begins his title defence against Robert Milkins on Monday afternoon at 14:00, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The German Masters runs between January 26 to February 1 with the winner securing the Brandon Parker Trophy and a £100,000 first prize.

Meanwhile, Zhang Anda has completed the line-up for the Championship League winners' group by defeating Xu Si 3-1 in the Group 7 final in Leicester.

Zhang produced breaks of 116 and 140 in his 3-2 win over Jack Lisowski in the semi-finals and will return to the city's Mattioli Arena for the final on February 10 and 11.

Championship League group winners

Group 1: Tom Ford (Eng)
Group 2: Elliot Slessor (Eng)
Group 3: Si Jiahui (Chn)
Group 4: Matthew Selt (Eng)
Group 5: Mark Selby (Eng)
Group 6: Wu Yize (Chn)
Group 7: Zhang Anda (Chn)

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Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the German Masters, live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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