Ronnie O'Sullivan took a significant step closer to the last 16 of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Aberdeen with a 3-0 win over Nottingham's Michael Holt.
The first round is being played in a new round-robin format at this year's nine-day event, and after his second group win 'The Rocket' insisted it was very much to his liking.
"I enjoyed it," said O'Sullivan, who was the beaten finalist in this event last year.
"You always enjoy it when you get a result. But it's not always just about the result, it's nice to get a few breaks as well and win the way I've won.
"That is more important for me at the moment. I just want to enjoy the game, that's the main emphasis."
O'Sullivan added: "I don't think (the short match format) suits anyone better than anyone else.
"Willie Thorne hit the nail on the head when he said 'suck it and see'. I I just think what will be, will be.
"If you play well, no matter what the format is, whether it's one frame, best of 19, best of 25, you will win. If you don't play well you haven't got much chance of winning."
Defending champion John Higgins claimed his second win with a 3-1 triumph over Thailand's Issara Kachaiwong, battling back after his opponent had gone 1-0 ahead thanks to a break of 74.
But a high break of 69 and some clever tactical play made sure Higgins maintained his unbeaten record.
Fellow Scot Alan McManus eased to a 3-1 win over Dominic Dale, inflicting the Welshman's second defeat in as many days.
Last season's Masters semi-finalist knocked in breaks of 74 and 101 to see off Dale and keep his last 16 qualification hopes alive with his second win and with three group games still to play.
Other winners from the second session of play included Preston potter Ian McCulloch, a 3-0 victor over Basildon's Stuart Bingham with breaks of 75 and 43, while Stoke's Jamie Cope compiled runs of 82 and 91 in a 3-1 victory over Hong Kong's Marco Fu.
Former world champion Shaun Murphy secured his second win after a 3-1 victory over Dubliner Michael Judge.
Qualifier Judge had a century break, but Murphy's own run of 104 and an additional 56 was good enough to go through.
"I have really been putting the hours in during practice and I'm feeling sharp," said Rotherham's Murphy.
Mark Williams has decided to pull out of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix because of a wrist injury.
The two-times World Champion sprained ligaments in his left wrist during a gym session ten days ago.
He battled through the pain in his first three matches, losing to Stuart Bingham and Robin Hull and beating Stephen Lee.
He made the decision to withdraw after a 3-1 defeat to Finland's Hull tonight.
"My wrist is hurting and I can't play properly," said the 31-year-old Welshman. "I don't want to make it worse so I've decided to pull out and rest it before the next tournament.
"Every time I play a shot with pace I get a lot of pain. If I'd carried on I don't think I could win another frame and I don't want to risk making it worse.
"I've never pulled out of a tournament before and it's not nice. Even if I'd won tonight my decision would have been the same. Maybe I should never have come here. I decided to give it a try but it was no good." Williams' three results in the group will be declared void.
HIGGINS WINS SWA PLAYER OF THE YEAR 23 Oct 2006 13:11:00
Scotland's John Higgins has been named Highland Spring Player of the Year for season 2005/6 by the Snooker Writers' Association.
The 31-year-old won two major tournaments during the campaign – the Grand Prix and SAGA Insurance Masters – and finished runner up in two others.
Higgins is currently defending his title in front of his home fans at the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Aberdeen.
Graeme Dott wins the Highland Spring Achievement of the Year award for his magnificent success in the 888.com World Snooker Championship.
Dott, who had never previously won a major tournament, defeated Peter Ebdon 18-14 to lift the game’s ultimate prize after an epic final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
The Wheels In Motion/Paul Hunter Newcomer of the Year accolade goes to Michael White, who won the World Grand Prix, the sport’s leading amateur event, in his home country of Wales at the age of just 14.
This award was re-named last week in honour of the late Paul Hunter, who won it himself in 1998.
Richard Balani’s contribution to the game is recognised with the Highland Spring Special Award.
Balani’s efforts have made Malta one of the leading venues for major tournament snooker for many years.
Ronnie O'Sullivan became the first player to book his place in the last-16 stage of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix.
The 'Rocket', last year's runner-up, beat Hong Kong's Marco Fu to secure his fourth group win on the bounce - and with victory is guaranteed a slot in the next phase of this year's competition at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
"I'm just trying to relax and win my matches," said O'Sullivan, after his 3-2 victory over Fu.
"I was feeling a little bit hungry before my match because we went on 10 minutes later than scheduled. But that didn't matter."
Although O'Sullivan had won his three previous matches, he was still not guaranteed a place in the next round.
However, victory over Fu made sure of top spot in his group and now the former world champion and world number one has a chance to impress in the knockout stages.
O'Sullivan added: "I don't care what format they (World Snooker) put on, we're here to pot balls.
"The best man will win this tournament at the end of the week.
"We've had so many breaks this year I'm just enjoying potting balls and I think it's (the new format) is all good.
"You've got to experiment. Why not? It's quite refreshing. The tournament begins again now!"
Last season's Malta Cup winner, Ken Doherty, must wait until Monday night to see if he qualifies for the knockout stages.
The 1997 world champion lost his first match in Scotland, beaten 3-2 by Aussie left-hander Neil Robertson.
But despite defeat he still occupies top spot in his group after three wins from his other matches.
However, if he were to lose to Belfast's Joe Swail in his last group match and Melbourne potter Robertson were to triumph, then Doherty would be dumped out of the tournament.
Cambridgeshire's Joe Perry upset on-song Andrew Norman, the Bristol qualifier who had won all three of his group matches up until Monday afternoon.
Perry triumphed 3-0 with a high break of 82 and now has a record of two wins and one loss. Victories in his remaining two group matches would give him a good chance of reaching the next round.
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Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Отправлено: 24.10.06 14:26. Заголовок: Re:
ART ATTACK 24 Oct 2006 10:16:00
Snooker's leading stars created unique pieces of artwork on Monday for charity group the Willow Foundation.
The Foundation organises special days out for seriously ill young adults. Leading sports figures such as footballer Thierry Henry and golfer Ian Poulter have recently contributed pieces of art, combining paint and canvasses with sporting equipment.
The snooker players took their turn in the players’ lounge at the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Aberdeen. A canvas was laid horizontally on to a snooker table and the players hit painted balls across it to make spectacular patterns.
Ronnie O’Sullivan (pictured signing his contribution), Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, John Higgins, Ken Doherty, Peter Ebdon, Terry Griffiths and Dennis Taylor were among those to take part.
The original pieces as well as 50 prints were signed and they will be auctioned to raise money for the Willow Foundation.
Sanya
green mama
Сообщение: 598
Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Отправлено: 24.10.06 18:31. Заголовок: Re:
I still have hunger for success says Hendry
STEPHEN HENDRY insists he still has the hunger to win more silverware despite not having won a ranking snooker event since 2005. Hendry is competing in the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Aberdeen but the seven-times world champion has won just one of his three last-16 group qualifying matches. With Welshman Matthew Stevens - a 3-0 winner against the Scot yesterday - leading Group E after three successive victories and Leicester's Mark Selby having won two of his three, Hendry is threatened with an early exit from the second ranking event of the season at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. Despite maintaining he still has the motivation to succeed, the 37-year-old says he has become frustrated with his failure to rediscover the magic which saw him dominate the 1990s. "Maybe I've been too harsh on myself," admitted Hendry. "If another player beats you, then you respect that, but I believe it's my fault all the time." But he is adamant the state of the tables is having an adverse effect on him. "They're the worst tables I've ever played on," he said. "It's verging on unplayable out there. "It's verging on a farce. I've got to stop myself going into a rant because I'll probably get disciplined (by World Snooker) for this." Meanwhile, Glasgow's Alan McManus defeated James Wattana 3-1, the Thai player's second loss of the day in Group A. And Stephen Maguire - another Glaswegian - scored a double in Group H, beating Graeme Dott, of Larkhall, and Chinese star Ding Junhui by the same 3-1 scoreline.
24/10/2006
Sanya
green mama
Сообщение: 599
Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Сообщение: 633
Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Отправлено: 25.10.06 19:40. Заголовок: Re:
ALL GUNS BLAZING 25 Oct 2006 17:27:00
Ronnie O'Sullivan said he wants to be like Billy the Kid after shooting down David Gray at the Royal London Watches Grand Prix.
The Rocket’s 5-2 success put him through to the quarter-finals where he meets Neil Robertson, a 5-3 winner over Andrew Norman.
O’Sullivan claims he has rediscovered his "love of snooker" and was in ebullient mood after knocking in breaks of 136, 51, 107, 51 and 67 to easily see off Gray in Aberdeen.
"I want to be aggressive like Billy the Kid," said world No 3 O’Sullivan, runner-up in last year’s Grand Prix. "You look at all the great sportsmen - Steve Davis, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Michael Schumacher and Phil Taylor are all aggressive.
"They know to play a defensive game. I know how to play a defensive game, Ray Reardon has taught me that, but I don’t intend on having many scrappy matches. I won’t stop playing aggressively.
"I’ve been playing poorly for the last 10 or 11 years. I remember winning as a kid with effortless ease and that’s how I need to play. I can do that if I play this type of game. I can go through players and win without it feeling like I’ve had to work for it. It’s kind of come easy to me.
"A lot of snooker players are too intense and serious. You can catch it off them, it’s like a lurgy which goes around. I want to be laid back and just enjoy it.
"I’m not in this for trophies or the money, I’m in this for the love. That means more to me. It’s just the beauty of the game.
"My game needs to be a little bit stronger, but I’m really not worried whether it comes or not. I’m going out there to enjoy it and take that enthusiasm and that love for the game I had as a kid."
Meanwhile, Aussie ace Robertson came from 2-1 behind to end Norman’s chances.
Bristol’s Norman knocked in breaks of 44 and 59 to edge ahead. But the Melbourne Machine was up to the task and reeled off the next two frames to re-establish his advantage.
Norman rallied to draw level, but with breaks of 56 and 75 it was Robertson who made sure of victory.
"Overall I’m not too happy with the way I played, but I’m definitely looking forward to playing Ronnie," said Robertson.
"I think I’m one of the few players who can beat him even when he’s playing well, providing my long game is working and I’m scoring well."
Robertson’s win has seen him reach his sixth ranking event quarter-final, but he is yet to reach a semi.
"It doesn’t bother me at all," added the world No 13. "I think it’s a good sign if you keep getting to quarter-finals.
"Eventually I’ll start to break through. I’ve lost a few close ones, but it’s definitely not a stumbling block."
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Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Отправлено: 26.10.06 16:16. Заголовок: Re:
YOU DO RUN RON 26 Oct 2006 12:31:00
Not only is Ronnie O'Sullivan one of snooker's quickest cuemen, he's pretty fast away from the table too. And if the two-times World Champion looks quicker around the table than usual in Aberdeen this week, then maybe it's because he's been receiving some top class athletics coaching.
The Rocket has always been keen on his running and earlier this month clocked new 10 kilometres personal best of 36 mins 31 secs in Southend.
And that's hardly surprising considering he's been training with National Junior cross country champion, Danielle Sale.
Sale's coach is former international, Maxine Joyce, and she's set the twice former world champion a weekly 40 mile schedule.
"He's very keen and wants to improve on his times," says Joyce. "He used to go down to Woodford Green but he was find he was running aimlessly.
"He was just going out for a run and there was no structure to it. When he first came down to me last July he was finding the track really hard.
"We used to do 8 x 800 metres and he could only do six reps. Now, he's starting to do all the reps and his recovery is a lot quicker and his times are coming down."
O'Sullivan has been training with Joyce's son, Shay, a 34 minute 10km runner.
And she believes O'Sullivan can get down to 35 minutes. "Maybe faster if he can fit in the training," she added. "Ronnie says the running does help his snooker in a way. It makes the mind fitter."
The Essex star warmed up for Aberdeen with another run, finishing a creditable 13th in the Standish Hall Trail Race.
Извините, что пишу здесь,просто не знаю, где изложить свою просьбу. Пожалуйста, кому не трудно, выложите ссылки статей на тему прекращения Эмбаси спонсирования снукера. Нужны именно статьи. Заранее спасибо!
Sanya
green mama
Сообщение: 679
Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Отправлено: 27.10.06 18:05. Заголовок: Re:
RED-HOT ROBBO STUNS ROCKET 27 Oct 2006 16:19:00
Ronnie O'Sullivan admitted he was "blown away" as Neil Robertson produced the best performance of his career at the Royal London Watches Grand Prix today.
Last season’s runner-up O’Sullivan was thumped 5-1 at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre as the rising star from Down Under secured a place in his first-ever ranking event semi-final.
The Rocket, who had previously declared he wanted to be like gunslinger Billy the Kid, admitted: "Neil was on fire. He blew me away.
"You have to give the guy credit. He barely missed a ball and when he did I just didn’t punish him.
"Sometimes you come up against someone playing like that and there’s not much you can do. He deserved his win. I wish I could have given him a better game.
"If he carries on playing like that he’ll fancy his chances of winning this. He was a hard man out there today."
Robertson, who had lost in his previous five ranking quarter-finals, started well with runs of 31 and 32 to take the opener.
An excellent 46 clearance followed as the Melbourne Machine went 2-0 ahead, before O’Sullivan hit back with a break of 69 after Robertson had missed a routine black.
But the Cambridge-based Aussie won the fourth frame with an 42 break to lead 3-1 at the interval - and following the resumption the world No 13 sparkled.
Further breaks of 71 and 65 followed as the left-hander fired his way into the semis where he will now play either Scot Alan McManus or Preston’s Ian McCulloch.
"I would definitely say this is the best performance of my career so far," said an understandably delighted Robertson.
"I’m very happy with the way I played. I’ve scored more heavily and played more explosive stuff in other matches, but I think playing like that against someone like Ronnie is so much harder to do.
"I kept my composure because I knew I was playing well and I knew I would be creating chances for myself.
"I said before the match I was probably one of the few players who can beat him when he’s playing well. I definitely believed that.
"When I get in the balls and I’m concentrating and my positional play is good, then I score almost as heavily as anyone.
"Obviously long potting is my strength as well as clearing up under pressure, so there was absolutely no reason why I shouldn’t think I could beat him."
Asked if this was an early sporting blow for Australia ahead of the forthcoming Ashes, Robertson cheekily replied: "At least Ronnie got one today. We should win the cricket 5-0!"
Defending champion and home favourite John Higgins suffered a surprise 5-2 reverse to Mark King at the Royal London Watches Grand Prix tonight.
Going into the quarter-finals, the form book suggested that Higgins would meet Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final for the second consecutive year. But both snooker giants have taken the road out of Aberdeen today, leaving an unlikely semi-final line-up.
It was the Wizard of Wishaw’s first defeat to King for 12 years. "It went wrong all night," said the world No 4. "My concentration was all over the place from the first frame onwards. That was the telling point in the match.
"My safety was atrocious and I was leaving chances on a plate for him. You’ve got to perform, but I just didn’t turn up.
"I was confident about my game and even at 4-0 still felt brilliant and that I could get back, but all night I struggled."
And asked whether O’Sullivan’s shock exit had given him a better chance of winning the tournament Higgins added: "I couldn’t have cared less whether Ronnie had gone out.
"I knew that if I played well I’d win, so it wouldn’t have mattered who was in the other half of the draw.
Higgins started in the worst possible fashion with a new record of 12 consecutive misses in a televised match. After potting a red he was trapped in the pack and tried to come off two cushions to hit the yellow or green. When he finally succeeded on his 13th attempt, he drew one of the biggest cheers of the week.
Ironically he eclipsed his opponent’s record of 11 misses against Stephen Lee at the 1997 UK Championship at the Preston Guild Hall.
And after King added a break of 66 the first frame was gone, before he added the next with runs of 38 and 26.
A 69 break followed to make it three frames on the bounce, and then Higgins strangely conceded the fourth frame only 44 behind and with 51 points available.
It got slightly better after the interval for Higgins as he reduced his arrears with back-to-back breaks of 55 to to trail 4-2.
But it only delayed the inevitable as world No 29 King secured a place in his seventh ranking event semi-final with a 71 break in the seventh and deciding frame. One more victory and he will have reached only his third ranking event final.
"The first time I ever played John I beat him. That was about 1924 I think," said King, tongue-in-cheek.
"I managed to lose to him 11 times on the spin after that. No matter how well I played he just played better. He smacked my arse every time, it was relentless.
"But I thought that I would beat him sooner or later, otherwise I would take it to the grave."
And King was delighted with the way he performed in front the television cameras, setting up a semi-final showdown with Jamie Cope tomorrow night.
ROBERTSON STORMS INTO ABERDEEN FINAL 28 Oct 2006 18:08:00
Neil Robertson became the first Australian to reach a ranking final for 16 years at today's Royal London Watches Grand Prix.
The Aussie ace ended Scottish interest at this year's championship at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre with a battling 6-2 semi-final victory over Alan McManus.
World No 13 Robertson battled back from 2-0, reeling off six frames on the spin for a memorable win.
Warren King was the last player from Down Under to reach a ranking event final when, in 1990, he lost to Steve James in the Mercantile Credit Classic final at the Norbreck Castle in Blackpool.
Melburne potter Robertson will now play either Romford left-hander Mark King or Stoke qualifier Jamie Cope in tomorrow's showcase final, with the winner set to pocket a cheque for £60,000.
King, a 125/1 outsider to win the title at the start of the tournament, and 21-year-old Cope, given odds of 66/1 before a ball had been potted, play in tonight's other semi-final.
"It obviously means a lot to have won today, but it would mean more to win the tournament," said a delighted Robertson, who needs one more victory to be the first Aussie to win an elusive ranking event title.
"I've just got to keep doing what I've been doing. I knew I'd have a really tough match, but even if I'd have gone 3-1 behind I knew I could come back.
"There's a fair bit of interest back home already but if I can win it I think I'll get a lot of attention, which would be great for snooker in Australia."
Looking ahead to the final, Robertson added: "I'm going to take it one ball at a time and I'm going to enjoy myself, which is the most important thing.
"I've never played Jamie before, but I've practised a bit with Mark in Cambridge (where Robertson is based).
"Mark's a good potter and has a strong safety game and Jamie just goes for his shots."
McManus was the better starter and won the first frame on the pink after his opponent had over-swerved in escaping from a snooker. Last season's Masters semi-finalist, McManus then pocketed an excellent break of 100 to make it 2-0.
But Robertson, who knocked out last year's runner-up Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarters, showed why he is regarded as one of the sport's most exciting talents.
A break of 55 reduced his deficit, then he snatched the pivotal fourth frame on a respotted black after gaining two snookers on the blue and making an excellent clearance.
The post-interval resumption saw Robertson compile a fine run of 79 to go in front for the first time in the match, and he made it 4-2 by winning scrappy sixth.
McManus might have pulled one back but was unlucky to go in-off at the business end of frame seven, Robertson cooly clearing from yellow to pink.
The next went down to the final black and Robertson doubled it the length of the table to seal victory.
"It was all to play for at 2-2, but never really happened for me after the break," admitted McManus. "I'm a little disappointed, but Neil's playing well, you can tell that.
"It's not like I completely chucked the match away, I wasn't reckless. Good luck to Neil. He's a really, really good player. It's the first time I've played him and he impressed me.
"He's favourite in my eyes to go on and win it. He certainly looks on top of his game."
Clive Everton Saturday October 28, 2006 The Guardian
Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins were widely expected to contest tomorrow's Royal London Grand Prix final but neither will even feature in today's semi-finals. Neil Robertson, a 24-year-old Australian who had lost his five previous world-ranking quarter-finals, reached his first semi-final in style with an emphatic 5-1 win over O'Sullivan, and Mark King, the world No29, was a surprise 5-2 winner over Higgins.
"You have to give the geezer credit. He hardly missed a ball and when he did I didn't punish him. He was on fire and against someone like that you can't turn up with your B game" said O'Sullivan.
Neil Robertson traced his first major triumph back to the moment he tried to snap his own cue four years ago. The talented young Australian beat Jamie Cope 9-5 in Aberdeen tonight to win the Royal London Watches Grand Prix.
The 24-year-old’s first spell on the professional Tour was unsuccessful and, after heading back to his home in Melbourne in 2002, his future in snooker was in the balance.
"Because I was so far away from the UK, making it to the top just seemed like a dream," said the left-hander as he reflected on tonight’s triumph.
"I thought to myself ’it’s never going to happen’. You have to commit so much and sacrifice so much.
"I remember practising one day and missing an easy ball. I hit my cue against the side of the table as hard as I could. Somehow it didn’t break and after that things turned around for me. It’s the cue I used today and it’s as straight as an arrow.
"I got a wildcard back on to the Tour (after winning the World Under-21 Championship in 2003), and knew I couldn’t mess that opportunity up. I practised really hard and thankfully I’m starting to get all the rewards now."
As for the final, the popular Cambridge-based player said: "I’m just so happy to have won. Leading 8-2 I thought it was in the bag. I was feeling really good and all I wanted was one chance.
"But the balls just went a little bit funny and Jamie started to find his rhythm. Then he started to miss a few balls and it became contagious.
"If he had won the frame to make it 8-6 then anything could have happened, so I’m so relieved to have won it.
"It really hasn’t sunk in yet, but maybe after a few drinks it will. It’s a great moment. I had a few nerves, but when you beat Ronnie on the way to the final, it gives you the confidence to go on.
"I was twitching all over the place towards the end. Luckily the crowd were far back because I would have hit them with my elbow!
"It’s the best week of my life, it’s just been incredible. It’s also the biggest cheque of my career, but that’s not the reason I play. As long as I’ve got enough money to pay the bills the money’s not that important.
"I just want to win, play in these sort of arenas and in front of big crowds. My family has been following the match on the (worldsnooker.com) live scoring. I’ll be making a few calls in the morning.
"Hopefully this is the start of many tournament wins for me. Maybe a few younger players in Australia can start to play. We tend to be so hungry to win so we could produce quite a few good players."
Cope was upbeat despite defeat and hopes to be a title-challenger in years to come.
"I just didn’t turn up tonight," admitted the 21-year-old from Stoke. "I felt Neil was going to struggle a bit to get over the line, but his lead was just too big.
"The atmosphere was great, but it was my first final and I didn’t really know what to expect. I’ll be ready for the next one.
"My concentration wasn’t 100 per cent and I threw a couple of frames away. But you live and learn.
"I’ve had a really good week and enjoyed it. I’m just looking forward to the next one. Hopefully I can keep climbing the rankings and get into the top eight.
"I had no doubts about my ability, I just expected to play a bit better. I’m played really well in the semi-final, and I was looking forward to bringing that to the final. But it just got away from me."
Neil Robertson savoured the best moment of his snooker career after winning the Royal London Watches Grand Prix.
The Australian powered his way to a 9-5 victory over Englishman Jamie Cope at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
With his memorable win Robertson became the first Australian to win a ranking event title, pocketing a Ј60,000 winners' cheque in the process, while Cope scooped Ј30,000 as runner-up, as well as Ј24,000 in additional prize-money for a televised maximum 147 clearance earlier in the tournament.
Fellow countryman Warren King was the last man from down under to reach a ranking event final, but he lost 10-6 to Steve James when he reached the 1990 Mercantile Credit Classic final at the Norbreck Castle in Blackpool.
But Robertson, given odds of 33-1 to win the title prior to the tournament, needed just four frames to beat Stoke qualifier Cope, having led 5-2 after the afternoon session of play where seven frames of the best-of-17 frame match were contested.
And with a three-frame cushion, Melbourne's Robertson grew in confidence as the match went ahead, rarely missing when given the chance to shine in Scotland.
"I'm just so happy to have won the match," said a delighted Robertson, who also won an 18-carat gold watch from the title sponsor.
"Leading 8-2 I thought it was in the bag. I was feeling really, really good and all I wanted was one chance, but the balls just went a little bit funny and he (Jamie) started to find his rhythm.
"But he started to miss a few balls, I did and it became a little bit contagious.
"If he had won the frame to make it 8-6 then anything could have happened, but I'm so relieved to have won it.
"It really hasn't sunk in yet, but maybe after a few drinks it will sink it. It was a great moment for me."
Robertson added: "I had a few nerves, but when you beat someone like Ronnie (O'Sullivan), it gives you the confidence to go on.
"But I was twitching all over the place. Luckily the crowd were far back because I would have hit them with my elbow otherwise.
"It's the best week of my life, it's just been incredible."
However, it was 21-year-old Longton potter Cope who took the early advantage, edging a nervy opening frame to lead 1-0.
Left-hander Robertson, who is based in Cambridge, then reeled off four consecutive frames - a century break of 100 levelled the match, before runs of 78, 59 and 52 saw Robertson open up a three-frame cushion.
Back came Cope with a high break of 55 to reduce his arrears, but Robertson pinched the last frame of the afternoon session to restore his three-frame advantage.
It got even better for Robertson when the pair resumed for the deciding evening session, with a possible 10 frames available.
The lead became four frames after Cope missed a couple of decent chances to reduce his arrears, with Robertson pinching a scrappy frame to make it 6-2.
Robertson then edged within two frames of victory by winning a scrappy ninth frame which he clinched by 64-31 points.
The roll kept going as a 63 break took the 24-year-old left-hander within one frame of his first title, having previously never progressed further than the quarter-finals stages in no fewer than five ranking events.
Cope made a stylish 105 to make sure the match went to final session, but it only delayed the inevitable.
The Stoke man did win another two frames to make the score look respectable, but Robertson was not be beaten.
Victory was finally secured when world number 13 Robertson - who will move to seventh in the provisional world rankings following his victory - won the deciding 14th frame and raised his arms with delight.
"I just didn't turn up tonight," admitted Cope.
"I felt he (Neil) was going to struggle a bit to get over the line, but it (his lead) was just too big.
"The atmosphere was great, but it was my first final and I didn't really know what to expect. But I'll be ready for the next one now.
"My concentration wasn't there 100 per cent and to be honest I've thrown a couple of frames away. But you live and learn."
And despite defeat Cope, who moves up to 14th in the provisional rankings, added: "I've had a really good week and I've enjoyed it. I'm just looking forward to one more really (reaching another final).
"It's good be in the top 16 definitely. Hopefully I can improve on that and reach the top eight.
"I've had no doubts (about my ability), I just expected to play a bit better. I played really well in the semi-final, and I was just looking forward to bringing that to the final.
"But my concentration wasn't there. I was feeling okay with the conditions, but it just got away from me."
Сообщение: 738
Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Отправлено: 30.10.06 18:21. Заголовок: Re:
The Times October 30, 2006
Snooker: Robertson blazes trail for Australia by claiming historic title By Phil Yates
NEIL ROBERTSON, a left-hander with flair and a dedicated approach to the sport that inspired his permanent relocation from Melbourne to Cambridge, became the first Australian to win a worldranking tournament last night.
Robertson, 24, as attacking and free-flowing as his countryman, Eddie Charlton, was cautious and ponderous, beat Jamie Cope, from Stoke, 9-5 in the final of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Aberdeen to collect the largest prize of his career, £60,000.
Had it not been for a blistering day in his home town a decade ago, had Robertson not chosen to escape the heat in an air-conditioned snooker club, the sport in Australia would not be enjoying the boost it badly needs. Seven months after Quinten Hann was banned for eight years by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association for intending to fix a match, his compatriot, Robertson, underlined his potential and climbed to No 7 in the provisional world rankings.
Australia may have produced Walter Lindrum, the finest billiards player to wield a cue, but snooker has been one of the few sporting pursuits that those Down Under have found difficulty in crowing about.
Robertson is the sixth non-British or Irish winner of a world-ranking event, joining Cliff Thorburn and Bob Chaperon, of Canada, Silvino Francisco, of South Africa, James Wattana, of Thailand, and Ding Junhui, of China.
Leading 8-2 after dominating the exchanges, Robertson lost three successive frames but, complementing his skill with a cool temperament, the Australian compiled a decisive 55 break in the fourteenth frame.
Сообщение: 745
Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Отправлено: 30.10.06 21:16. Заголовок: Re:
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Bang on cue!
Neil Robertson has revealed his first ranking event title success has made him hungrier to win more honours.
But the popular Cambridgebased Australian, who won the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Aberdeen last night, admitted he came close to quitting the game five years ago.
"There was one point when I was 19 when I just got fed up with it (the game) and got fed up with the tour," he said.
"I was practising with the rest and actually tried to break my cue.
"It's an amazing story, really.
Because I'm so far away from it now, it just seems like a dream.
"You have to commit so much and sacrifice so much. I wasn't that dedicated to the game.
"I actually hit it (my cue) against the table as hard as I could and it didn't break. I used that cue tonight, it was as straight as an arrow.
"That sort of turned it around a little bit. I was given a wild card a few seasons ago and I couldn't mess that opportunity up. I had to come over here, practise all the time and thankfully I'm starting to get the rewards now."
Robertson beat Stoke qualifier Jamie Cope 9-5 in their best-of-17- frame final showdown to become the first Australian to win a ranking event title.
And now he is confident his trophy cabinet will start to fill.
"Hopefully this is the start of many tournaments for me," added Robertson, who has risen to seventh in the world rankings from 13th.
"Hopefully a few younger players in Australia can start to play because if kids in Australia start and play - because of the Australian culture and because Australians tend to be so hungry to win - Australia could produce quite a few good players, there's no doubt about that.
"There's a nine year old who is knocking in 40-50 breaks, so they just need to be given the opportunities.
"It's so hard being so far away, but I really hope this does raise the popularity of the sport back home."
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