Neil Robertson: Saudi Arabia Masters final triumph over Ronnie O'Sullivan 'surpasses World Championship' title

Neil Robertson crowned his thrilling 10-9 Saudi Arabia Masters final victory against Ronnie O'Sullivan as a defining moment of his career and even better than his 2010 World Championship triumph. Robertson roared out to a 7-2 lead before O'Sullivan pegged it back and even went 9-8 up at the end of a gripping encounter, though 'The Rocket' said his opponent deserved the win.

Neil Robertson proclaimed his marathon Saudi Arabia Masters final victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan "surpasses the World Championship" in his career achievements.

Robertson triumphed in a rollercoaster encounter with 'The Rocket' after racing out to a 7-2 lead before his opponent fought back to level pegging, then 9-8 up, but the Australian rallied to take the 18th frame 101-16 and the decider 91-39.

It was the second 19-frame blockbuster final that the event has produced in as many years after Judd Trump’s 10-9 win over Mark Williams last year, and sees 'The Thunder from Down-Under' pocket a £500,000 winner's cheque.

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"I think it surpasses probably the world championship in my opinion because I have had to answer a lot of questions, can I beat someone like Ronnie in a final of this magnitude?" Robertson said.

"We have played in many finals before and I have won a few, he has probably won more than me, but to beat him here with so much on the line is definitely my best win.

"Hopefully my story can inspire younger generations to never give up, you are going to get ups and downs in sport and it is not about how far you fall, it’s about how far you bounce."

Robertson holds nerve to make 'biggest shot of tournament' and claim Saudi Arabia Masters title

Video credit: TNT Sports

Robertson finished the 2023/24 season ranked 28th in the world and was seeded 27th for this tournament 12 months ago, but is now firmly ensconced back in the top 10 and paid tribute to where this triumph sits in his career narrative.

"I cannot possibly explain in words what it means, but to play Ronnie in a final of this magnitude, when I was a kid in Australia, there is no way in the world I could have dreamed of something like that.

"The way he came back as well, my god, being in this arena was probably the last place I wanted to be, from 7-2 to 7-7 was just unbelievable, I barely did anything wrong and the frame he won to go 8-8, the brown he knocked in was just absolutely incredible.

"And he was pretty unlucky in the last couple of frames, he had a couple of splits that did not go his way, if he lands on the ball, I think at 9-8 then it is all over, so I am just incredibly grateful to be able to share this stage with him."

O’Sullivan pleased to find momentum in the Middle East

O'Sullivan levels against Robertson in Saudi Arabia Masters final with 'incredible' clearance

Video credit: TNT Sports

Despite watching half a million pounds evaporate in the final frame, O’Sullivan was not too disappointed with the result in the Jeddah Green Halls - he will still take home £380,333 thanks to his runner-up finish plus two 147 breaks in the semi-final.

Appearing in his first ranking final in over 16 months, O’Sullivan was at his vintage best as he won five consecutive frames, but Robertson responded in style to clinch the win, meaning O’Sullivan’s wait for a ranking title extends even further, with his last win coming in the World Grand Prix of January 2024.

"Neil deserved his victory, he was the better player today, I just tried to hang onto him, tried to make a bit of a game of it and I was just pleased that I did tonight," O’Sullivan added. "Because 6-2 down, he outplayed me, 7-2 down, I thought it was going to be an early night so I was just pleased to at least take it a little bit longer.

"Neil deserved his victory; he played the better snooker, probably played the best snooker all week. Coming here at the start of the week I would have been happy to win a couple of matches, so to get the final, I am obviously happy. You cannot be too greedy. 

"I was pleased with my performances, disappointed I did not win, but Neil deserved his victory."

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