Australian Neil Robertson secured one of the most significant triumphs of his career by defeating Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-9 in an enthralling Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters final in Jeddah.
The loss saw The Rocket agonisingly lose out on the £500,000 prize, although picked up a cool pay day due to his high scoring exploits earlier in the tournament.
43-year-old Robertson prevailed after a dramatic deciding frame, marking his 26th ranking title victory.
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The triumph represents Robertson's seventh major title, adding to his 2010 World championship and multiple UK Championship and Masters crowns.
Neil Robertson edged out The Rocket by one frame in a thrilling encounter
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His success elevates him to third position in the global rankings, completing a remarkable resurgence after dropping outside the top 16 just over a year ago.
The Australian described the achievement as surpassing even his world championship triumph, particularly given the calibre of his opponent and the substantial stakes involved.
"Neil deserved his victory. He was the better player," O'Sullivan stated following the match.
Despite the loss, the seven-time champion expressed satisfaction with his performance, having initially hoped merely to secure a few victories in Jeddah.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan took the loss on the chin as he congratulated Neil Robertson on a remarkable victory
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The 49-year-old's total earnings reached £380,333, comprising £200,000 for his runner-up position, £147,000 in bonuses for achieving two maximum breaks during the competition, and an additional £33,333 as his portion of the highest break award.
His remarkable semi-final performance against Chris Wakelin, featuring two 147 breaks, contributed significantly to his substantial payday.
O'Sullivan acknowledged that reaching the final exceeded his expectations, stating he was "very, very happy" with his tournament progression.
The match transformed dramatically when O'Sullivan mounted an extraordinary recovery from his five-frame deficit.
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The Rocket demonstrated his legendary resilience by claiming five consecutive frames, including a magnificent 139 break that marked his 1,300th career century.
O'Sullivan maintained his momentum with runs of 57 and 80, drawing level at 7-7 and shifting the pressure entirely onto Robertson.
The Englishman's comeback intensified as he secured frames 16 and 17, establishing a 9-8 advantage and positioning himself for what would have been one of snooker's most memorable final recoveries.
Robertson responded to the pressure by capturing frame 15 with a 75 break, though O'Sullivan continued threatening his opponent's advantage.
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Despite being five frames down, the seven-time world champion drew level creating a dramatic climax
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The Australian's fortunes appeared precarious when O'Sullivan executed a masterful snooker on the brown in frame 16, subsequently potting a challenging mid-range brown before clearing to force a level score at 8-8.
Frame 18 proved pivotal as Robertson compiled a century break of 101, restoring parity at 9-9 after O'Sullivan had missed an opportunity when failing to develop the reds effectively.
The decisive frame saw O'Sullivan misjudge a safety shot, presenting Robertson with an opening he seized expertly.
The Australian maintained his composure throughout an 87 clearance, including a challenging final red to a baulk corner pocket, securing his memorable victory.
Robertson struggled to articulate his emotions following the monumental victory, describing the experience as beyond words.
"When I was a kid back in Australia there's no way I could have dreamed of beating Ronnie in a final like this," he revealed.
The triumph represents a remarkable transformation for Robertson, who faced career uncertainty just 16 months ago after failing to qualify for the World Championship and plummeting to 28th in the rankings.
He credited his resurgence to assembling a support team including sports psychologist Helen Davis and friend Joe Perry, helping rebuild his confidence and tournament preparation.
"Hopefully my story will inspire younger generations because you should never give up," Robertson reflected.