Blackpool Snooker Company
Blackpool Snooker Shop Online
 
Sign–in Register Order tracking
Your Basket (Empty)
Checkout
PayPal logo Accepted Cards
01253299710

Robertson Melts Gould

 Neil Robertson

Australian Ace Neil Robertson knocked out qualifier Martin Gould at the Betfred.com World Championship

Former part-time croupier looked to be holding all the cards leading 11-5, going into the last session of his match with Australian Neil Robertson.

Robertson who had not been allowed to play at his best due to the exceptional play by the qualifier, started well with a quick-fire 64 break to open his account.Then displayed his relish for the task in front of him with a clinical 112 break.

It was the second century of the match and increased the Crucible century count to 27 at the Betfred.com World Championship.

Gould had a couple of chances in the next but appeared to feeling the strain of reaching the quarter final of a ranking
event for the first time in his career. Robertson increased his winning run to three with 31 being the only contribution of note.

The 'Thunder from Down Under' did not have long to wait before sealing his fourth frame prior to mid-session interval.He reduced the score to 11-9 with only a maximum of five frames still to play.

It was worrying times for Gould the qualifier, has the left handed world number nine reduced his deficit to just a single frame at 11-10 with a modest 41 break, and what looked at the outset an almost impossible task, the Aussie was right back into the match.

Robertson opened with a 32 point lead in the next. Gould playing no where near his best replied with runs of 16 and 26, allowing the man from Melbourne to rally.Luckily for the former amateur champion, robertson failed to level and he siezed the chance with both hands to go two frames up with only three to play at 12-10.

The 23rd frame was a scrappy affair with both players missing chances and both feeling the tension but it was the Australian Ace, who drew within one frame of Gould again at 12-11 then quickly forced the match into the deciding frame with runs of 27 and 48.

Gould got the first points on the board with a measured 40 break, coming to an end after missing a tricky red to the green pocket. Robertson took full advantage of the missed red, slotting it home and then constructed a solid 52 break. With just the one red remaining the Aussie layed a snooker behind the black.

Gould escaped but Robertson potted the red from distance with the cue ball near the baulk cushion.He elected to attempt a tough yellow to the centre,in favour of an easy snooker. He confidently stroked it home and produced a cool clearance to seal a fantastic victory.

He also becomes only the second player in Crucible history to win whilst trailing 11-5 going into the final session.

Robertson now meets Steve Davis in the quarter-final.

Neil Robertson post match comments

I won a couple of close ranking tournaments but to do that with the wall lifted up and the whole Crucible to yourself and come back after Martin played so well throughout the whole match was defiantely one of the best wins of my career.

The first session when he went 6-0 up, if John Higgins or Ronnie O'Sullivan had played like that I would have gone they played so well but from Martin who you guys haven't seen a lot of I was scratching my head and wondering what was going on, has he nicked Ronnie's soul or something. He was going for everything and it was going in, even all the hards balls.

The second session he didn't play quite as well but the run of the ball I had was probably the worst I've ever had but 11-5 down I didn't do a lot wrong so I just had to stay positive. Shaun (Murphy) coming back against Matthew (Stevens) a few years ago gave me a little bit of inspiration.

Each of the matches I've lost at the Crucible I've always been a long way back so to get back into the match is great.

I'm staying in an apartment and you have to book for the week so I was trying to cancel but I suppose I'll have to go and try and undo that.

Martin Gould post match comments

It was just one of the days today, nothing I did seemed to work. Neil put me under pressure and I didn't handle it.
Neil gave a couple of chances but it was strange, I felt good inside myself but holding the cue was just a mystery to me.

I cannot explain what the reasons were, there was just no life or spark inside me,the few chances but I never capitalized like I did yesterday, but today they never came off and Neil punished me.

In the decider I did feel I was going to finish him off, but the red rattled. After he got in I was just thinking "thats it, end of ".

I suppose you can put it down to experience. Neils' greater experience and my lack of it, at this venue. I will have to take it on the chin and treat is as a learning curve.

Obviously there are positives to be taken from my appearance at the Crucible. I know now I can produce the goods against the top players.

I've really enjoyed myself and I will take on board the experience from here. The crowd lastnight were absolutely fantastic, the roars and the shouting I've never heard that before. I will never ever forget that.

25th April 2010, 20:30
 
Page updated 25th Apr 2010, 20:30
BRICK | instant websites

© 2024 Blackpool Snooker Company. All rights reserved.
http://www.blackpoolsnooker.co.uk/news/2010/april/robertson-melts-gould.html

Page updated 25th Apr 2010, 20:30

Designed and maintained by Brick technology Ltd.
BRICK | Instant Websites