Robertson
Neil Robertson said he is a better player now than he was when he won snooker's World title after beating Judd Trump 4-1 in the final of Players Tour Championship event eight in Ireland.

 

It was the Australian's second PTC title of the season having won PTC6 in Poland three weeks ago. The left-hander conceded just six frames in the seven matches he won at the Killarney Convention Centre, finishing with a comfortable victory over Trump.


 

A scrappy first frame went to Robertson on the colours, then Trump levelled in the second with a top break of 39. Robertson knocked in a 76 to regain the lead and stole the crucial fourth frame by potting the final blue and pink. And a calm 65 in the next saw him clinch the 10,000 Euro top prize.


 

"It wasn't the best final but my safety was good and I did what I needed to," said Robertson, who won the Betfred.com World Championship in 2010. "Up until the final I played really well. Last season I was crashing out in the first or second round of most of the PTC events so it's great to have won a couple now. My form is looking good with the UK Championship and the Masters coming up.


 

"I've practised harder than ever this season and I am very solid, even when I'm playing badly. The player who won the world title is gone and I'm a much better player now."


 

Robertson, who goes top of the Order of Merit ahead of Ronnie O'Sullivan, also gave his opinion on the PTC events, adding: "You won't hear me saying many negative things about them because they are important in terms of promoting the game overseas. Of course we would like to be playing for higher prize money, but if they grow into events with sponsors and TV money then we will benefit."


 

The PTC is a series of 12 short events, with the top 24 on the final Order of Merit going through to the Grand Final in March, providing they have played in at least three domestic events and three overseas. The next tournament is PTC9 in Antwerp, Belgium, from November 10-13.


Results (last 16 onwards)



Last 16
Gerard Greene 2-4 John Higgins
Ryan Day 3-4 Mark Allen
Martin Gould 0-4 Neil Robertson
Dechewat Poomjaeng 1-4 Ben Woollaston
Judd Trump 4-0 Stephen Lee
Ken Doherty 1-4 Alan McManus
Yu Delu 1-4 Stuart Bingham
Barry Hawkins 1-4 Mark Selby


Quarter-finals
John Higgins 3-4 Mark Allen
Neil Robertson 4-0 Ben Woollaston
Judd Trump 4-2 Alan McManus
Stuart Bingham 3-4 Mark Selby


Semi-finals
Mark Allen 3-4 Neil Robertson
Judd Trump 4-1 Mark Selby


Final
Neil Robertson 4-1 Judd Trump