In the culmination of the English Open final on Sunday night, Neil Robertson seemed to have a firm grip on victory as he surged to an 8-2 lead over Wu Yize. However, the Chinese player mounted a spectacular comeback, winning five consecutive frames to narrow the gap. Despite the challenge, Robertson managed to secure the win in Brentwood, but not without acknowledging his opponent’s tenacity and skill.
Reflecting on the match, English Open champion Neil Robertson admitted, “I haven’t really recovered” from Wu Yize’s impressive resurgence fueled by what he described as “monster flukes.” After a drought of two years, Robertson claimed the title in Brentwood, Essex, but the path to victory in the final proved to be more challenging than anticipated.
Following a dominant performance in the first session, Robertson extended his advantage early in the evening, reaching an 8-2 lead and needing just one more frame to seal the win. However, Wu Yize displayed exceptional form, winning five consecutive frames and even scoring two centuries in the process.
Wu’s success was also aided by a series of fortuitous flukes that helped him close in on his Australian counterpart, with some shots unintentionally finding their way into the pockets. Speaking to Eurosport after securing his victory, Robertson reflected on the nerve-wracking experience, which only concluded when he clinched the ninth frame with a score of 61-16.
Praising his opponent, Robertson recalled his previous encounter with Wu during the World Championship in 2023. “When I go back to it, after I played him in the World Championship, I said he has something very special about him,” he noted. “There’s other players I’ve played with and they look like they don’t fancy it or they give up. He looked like he wasn’t going to give in so I just had to try and think positive thoughts.”
In a demonstration of Wu’s remarkable skills, the young player showcased his talent with a superb 100 break to claim the 11th frame of the English Open final. Robertson’s admiration for his opponent’s abilities was further heightened when Wu executed a stunning red pot followed by a fluked black, leaving spectators in awe of his talent.
Despite the challenges posed by Wu’s fortunate breaks, Robertson remained determined to make a comeback against the in-form player. The match served as a testament to both players’ skills and determination, with Robertson ultimately emerging victorious in a hard-fought battle on the snooker table.
