Eurosport - Sat, 10 Oct 13:03:00 2009
Neil Robertson qualified for the Grand Prix final after beating John Higgins 6-5 on the final black in a classic semi-final in Glasgow.
Higgins looked dead and buried at 5-3 and 49-0 down but the world champion roared back in fine style to send the match to a decider.
That final frame was full of drama - Higgins potted a superb green with the rest which looked like it was going to give him victory but then he followed it up by missing a straightforward brown.
Robertson managed to break to the pink which gave him a three point advantage but he could not find position on the black so tried an outrageous double up to a corner pocket at the other end of the table.
The shot just missed and because he did not hit it with much power it looked as if it was going to remain in the jaws. However, it just crept out along the cushion meaning Higgins needed the finest of cuts.
He made a decent contact on the black but it bounced around the jaws and did not drop and he immediately conceded the match to a relieved Robertson.
It was a thrilling end to a high quality match.
Higgins remarkably went into the mid-session interval only level at 2-2 despite having a 100 per cent pot success rate in those first four frames.
Robertson opened with a superb 114 only for Higgins to reply with a 90. A 66 proved key for the Australian in the next as he went 2-1 in front but breaks of 60 and 71 in the fourth saw Higgins level matters.
The first frame after the interval was a bit scrappy but a couple of mini-breaks eventually sealed it for Higgins to put him in front for the first, and only, time in the match.
Robertson immediately responded with a 128 total clearance to level before taking frame seven which was full of uncharacteristic misses and errors from both players.
Another stunning break of 128 put Robertson one frame away from the final and then he looked to be on a match winning break in the next but it broke down on 49.
He played safe but left a long red on. Higgins drained it and cleared up with a break of 84.
A 57 break from the Scot in the next proved enough too as he levelled the match once again before the final frame drama eventually swung the way of Robertson.
The Australian, who won this event in 2006, will now play Ding Junhui in Sunday's final.
Watch the final between Ding Junhui and Neil Robertson LIVE at 2pm Sunday on British Eurosport 2 (Sky 411 / Virgin Media 525); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe
Comment 1 - 6 of 6
Neil, yes you can!!
My opinion is that it was a shame to see the world champion higgins being knocked out of the competition that way.He deserved better for the entertaining moments he often gives the public in general.Keep it up John you still have a lot to give to the snooker lovers.
jocks loose again.
The Aussie to win!!!! God, he's good at the game!
Higgins should of just smacked the black ball as hard as he could to try for a fluke!
THIS WAS A F OCKIN BRILLIONT METCH A SNAKKAR.
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account