Neil Robertson is back among the big boys and back in the winner’s circle.
The Australian has waited a long time to produce a standard of snooker anywhere near his best, but this was pretty close as he bullied his way to the Hong Kong Masters title beating world number one Mark Selby, home favourite Marco Fu and five-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the process.
This tournament may not have been a ranking event or even a regular invitational on the calendar, but it had the look and feel of a prestigious event.
Established to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the crowd at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium was superb and with a £100,000 top prize up for grabs, it clearly helped to reignite Robertson’s play.
In the aftermath of his win, he said that the crowd of 3,000 felt more like 30,000 and that it was the best atmosphere he’s ever played in, proving once more how important it is to give the game’s top stars more of the kind of events which really get the juices flowing.
This was a classic example of Robertson producing his best when given an opportunity and occasion which really motivates him to put on a show.
In analysing this win, you can do little more than question where exactly Robertson’s A-game has been for all this time. This felt like a landmark moment; a return to form and a shining example of why he has been regarded as one of the game’s best players for so long.
This will be a sweet feeling for Neil, who will feel as though he’s given himself a springboard to push on from for the rest of the season.
It was also pointed out on social media that this win means Robertson has won a title every year since his first in 2006 and just goes to show that while form might be temporary, class is permanent.
