Neil Robertson triumphed narrowly over Ronnie O’Sullivan in the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, taking home a cool £500,000 in winnings, but he has revealed it could have ended very differently.
The former world No1 edged out a 10-9 victory on the day despite appearing to be cruising to victory when strolling to a five-frame lead.
But the seven-time world champion did not give in easily, with O’Sullivan reeling off five consecutive frames to draw the match level.
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A century from Robertson in frame 18 proved crucial to draw the game back at 9-9, with both players seeing themselves leading, only to squander opportunities.
Neil Robertson edged out The Rocket by one frame in a thrilling encounter | GETTYDespite the unpredictable nature of the match, Robertson managed victory through the final frame, taking home the hefty £500,000 prize money and adding the Saudi Arabia Masters to his cabinet alongside two Masters, two UK Championships and a World Championship title.
The Australian, who rose to world No1 2010 but saw his ranking drop outside the top 16 just over a year ago, described beating O’Sullivan as his “greatest achievement”, and he hopes to “inspire younger generations to never give up”.
But it could have all been so different for Robertson, who explained some dodgy Uber rides put his participation in the final in danger.
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The new world No3 revealed he almost missed the final due to an Uber mishap
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Speaking to The Sun, Robertson detailed the ordeals that almost made him late for the final - and it isn’t the first transport difficulty he has faced.
“I had a couple of funny stories with the courtesy cars out here,” he said.
“One day, we couldn’t get one, and we got an Uber. I had the pin location for the venue. We’re in the Uber, it’s the most straightforward drive.
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“Then, he goes to Joe and I: ‘Oh, which arena do you want to go to?’ Both of us didn’t have any signal on our phones. I said: ‘Just go to the point on the pin.’
“This was like Germany a few years ago, where my taxi driver actually drove to the wrong venue. I said to Joe: ‘This stuff just happens to me. You know these times when I drive to the wrong place – it’s not my fault.’”
“Ahead of the final, I booked a courtesy car and we’re waiting outside the hotel, and he’s not turned up – because he drove to the venue instead of the hotel.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan took the loss on the chin as he congratulated Neil Robertson on a remarkable victory | GETTY“I’m telling you, all these things, they’re not all my fault! So it was lucky we planned to get to the venue so early, which allowed me to get here an hour before.
“Probably 18 months ago, I’d have planned to get here 45 minutes before and then I’m preparing for the final with five minutes practice.”
Thankfully, the star was able to make it on time to produce a classic final.
After the match, Robertson revealed there was “no way I could have dreamed of beating Ronnie in a final like this.”
O’Sullivan responded with equal grace: "Neil deserved his victory. He was the better player.”