Robertson Sets Up Grandstand Finish

Neil Robertson dug deep to move level with Ronnie O’Sullivan at 8-8 and set up an enticing final session at the Coral Tour Championship in Llandudno.

The Australian trailed 5-3 after yesterday evening’s action, but rallied this afternoon to restore parity and take the momentum heading into tonight’s conclusion. They will play the best of 25 encounter to a conclusion from 7pm, with the winner taking home the £150,000 top prize.

If O’Sullivan wins this evening he will equal Stephen Hendry’s record of 36 ranking titles, while 15-time ranking event winner Robertson is aiming to move into sixth position alone in the all-time ranking event winner’s list.

The Rocket, who will move to world number one if he lifts the trophy this evening, claimed the opening frame with a century run of 100 as he looked to shake off his opponent. However, Robertson stubbornly battled to keep himself in touch.

O’Sullivan had looked to be set to move four ahead, but missed the final pink with the rest after landing in an awkward position. Robertson deposited the pink and the black to make it 6-4. He followed that up with a century break of 106 to move within a frame. O’Sullivan then claimed the next to head into the mid-session 7-5 in front.

They traded frames as five-time World Champion O’Sullivan went 8-6 up. However, it was Robertson who secured the final two frames of the session to set up a mouth watering finale.