NEIL ROBERTSON stunned Cao Yupeng by winning the last five frames to clinch the Scottish Open.
But it was a trick shot from the Chinese player – who netted £22,000 for a maximum 147 break in the first round – that will live long in the memory.
CLAIM YOUR FREE £30 BET Check out this new sign up offer from Sun Bets
Leading 8-7 in the 17th frame, Yupeng was close to a red with no chance of a pot.
In an attempt to avoid a foul for a ‘push’ – when the white ball is in contact with the cue and another ball simultaneously – he came up with a bizarre shot to avoid leaving the reds spread for Robertson.
Instead of risking a push by hitting through the ball, he laid the cue on the table and grabbed it by the tip.
He then lifted it up, avoiding the push and managing to leave his Aussie opponent without an easy pot.
Dennis Taylor, a commentator who won and 1985 World Champion, was left in amazement.
The Northern Irishman tweeted: “In 60 years of playing Snooker, I have never seen a shot played like the one Cao Yupeng played the Scottish Open Final.”
Robertson went on to clinch his first ranking title for 18 months.
He let slip that Stephen Fry, a big snooker and cricket fan, made his day all the sweeter.
TV presenter Fry tweeted: “Are Neil Robertson and Steve Smith by any chance related?”
Robertson scored heavily in Glasgow and has lapped up the drubbing handed to England by Smith and Co in the cricket.
He said: “It has been going pretty good in The Ashes! And I saw the tweet from Stephen Fry asking if me and Steve were related with the centuries we get that was pretty cool.
“It has been great seeing the boys getting the job done.”
MOST READ IN SPORT
Robertson, 35, racked up 11 century breaks last week and the win sees him back in the top 16.
He added: “All of a sudden, things look a lot better this season.
“Maybe I should move to Scotland or try and get more events here!
UNITED’S EDEN PROJECT Man Utd want £90m Eden Hazard deal as Jose Mourinho eyes reunion with Chelsea star
“That is my fourth ranking title up here.”
Meanwhile, Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of his German Masters qualifier with Rory McLeod for unspecified medical reasons.
But he is expected to return for the Masters next month as he bids to add to his record seven titles in the event.
Leave a comment