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Neil Robertson, the world No1, recovered from a dismal start to beat Mark Selby 10-7 in the UK Championship final in York on Sunday and complete the sport’s triple crown.
The Australian became only the eighth player to win the World, UK and Masters titles, joining Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Ronnie O’Sullivan, John and Alex Higgins, Terry Griffiths and Mark Williams, and is the first from overseas to achieve the feat.
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Selby had opened the final with a 130, having made the 100th official maximum in beating Ricky Walden 9-5 in the semi-finals on Saturday, and moved into a commanding 5-1 lead.
But Robertson crucially took the last two frames of the afternoon session and back-to-back centuries brought him level at 6-6.
He won the next two frames as well and pinched the 16th on the black to move within a frame of victory, which he completed with a 57 break.
Robertson said: “When I beat John Higgins earlier this year in the Wuxi Classic, I said that was the best I’d ever played in a final but the second session tonight was definitely the best I’ve played in a final.”
And, after appearing to wipe away tears, he added: “To become the first overseas player to win all three – Ding Junhui and I basically turned pro at the same time 10 years ago – to get it ahead of him is a fantastic achievement. I’m sure he’ll get there some day as well but to be the first is a fantastic feeling.”
