Neil Robertson Seals Triple Crown With Victory Over Mark Selby at UK Championship
Neil Robertson sealed a Triple Crown triumph with victory with a 10-7 victory over Mark Selby at the UK Championship.
The 31-year-old defeated the 2012 champion to become just the eighth man in snooker history to win the revered accolade as he added to his World Championship and Masters successes, having recovered from going 5-1 down.
A sublime start from Selby saw him comfortably take a four frame advantage but Robertson stormed back into contention with breaks of 54 and 123 to close the gap and ensure the reigning champion's lead was cut to 5-3 at the end of the first session.
Having fended off a comeback against Stuart Bingham in the final four, it was now Robertson's turn to mount one of his own, going on to win three of the first four frames in the final session to draw level.
With momentum swinging in his favour, the Australian won his fifth frame in a row to take a an 8-6 advantage, before he was immediately pegged back by a resilient Selby.
30-year-old Selby again pegged his opponent back in the following frame but astonishingly missed the final black he needed to draw level. A surprised but grateful Robertson cleaned up to move one frame from victory and clinically secured the 17<sup>th to complete his Triple Crown feat.
"To become the first overseas player to win all three is a fantastic feeling," Robertson said following his win, speaking to BBC Sport.
"Tonight I came out 6-3 down and I just had to play good snooker to get back in. When I beat John Higgins at the Wuxi Classic I said the way I played was the best, but today was definitely the best I have played in a final.
"When I came over to England, Ding Junhui and I turned professional at same time, and to get the Triple Crown ahead of him is a fantastic achievement."
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