Neil Robertson is the 2025 Saudi Arabia Grasp
20 August 2025
No Remark
Neil Robertson has received the primary “main” occasion of the 2025/26 season as he beat Ronnie O’Sullivan by 10-9 within the closing of the 2025 Saudi Arabia Masters. Congratulations Neil!
All Grove gamers had been concerned within the match besides Luca Brecel who withdrew citing well being points.
The occasion was performed on the predominant venue proper from the beginning which is nice.
Wu Yize beat Ashley Hugill by 4-1 and Matthew Stevens by 5-1 earlier than exiting the match within the spherical of 32, shedding by 5-3 to Si Jiahui.
Ding entered the match within the final 32, the place he beat Stephen Maguire by 5-2, however he misplaced to Barry Hawkins by 6-5 within the subsequent spherical.
Mark Selby additionally entered the match within the final 32, the place he beat Lengthy Zehuang by 5-3. In his subsequent match he confronted Neil Robertson, the eventual champion. Mark was crushed by Neil by 6-4 however his 119 break in body 2 was his 900th profession century. He’s solely the fifth participant in historical past of the game to succeed in this milestone.
As for Neil … he was clearly over the moon to win such a prestigious occasion. Here’s what he needed to say after the match: “This surpasses successful the World Championship. I’ve needed to reply a variety of questions like whether or not I can nonetheless beat somebody like Ronnie in a closing of this magnitude. To beat him right here with a lot on the road, it’s positively my finest win.” And he added: “I can’t clarify what this implies to me,” mentioned Robertson. “After I was a child again in Australia there’s no manner I may have dreamed of beating Ronnie in a closing like this. The way in which he performed from 7-2 down, it was unbelievable, I barely did something incorrect. Then the brown he knocked in to go 8-8 was unbelievable. He was unfortunate within the final two frames, he had two splits which didn’t go his manner. I’m so grateful simply to share the stage with him and to placed on an incredible match for the folks in Saudi. The followers right here have actually obtained their cash’s value within the final two years! My son shall be watching at residence, I used to be attempting to remain calm on the finish whereas he would have been leaping up and down on the sofa. Mille would have been burying her head within the pillows not in a position to watch! I’m glad that I might be a part of one thing actually particular. It feels nice to be again on this place. Coming right here final yr I used to be twenty eighth on the earth. Hopefully my story will encourage youthful generations since you ought to by no means quit, you’ll get ups and downs however it’s not about how far you fall, it’s about how far you bounce.”
