Judd Trump edges out Neil Robertson in final frame decider to win English Open

Judd Trump beat Neil Robertson in a final frame decider to win his 18th career ranking title at the English Open in Milton Keynes.

Trump, who had trailed 7-4 after losing the first three frames of the evening session, produced a brilliant 114 break to seal a 9-8 victory in what also marked his 10th consecutive win in a ranking final.

Robertson had produced three quality centuries of his own, including a 125 total clearance in the penultimate frame of a high-quality encounter.

Trump told Eurosport: “It was a really tough final and I felt most of the game Neil was probably the better player, he scored a lot heavier than me.

“The way Neil played at no point did I think I was going to win the trophy. I had to go out and earn that one, it was probably my toughest final in five years.”

Trump had edged into a 3-1 lead, but Robertson wrested the momentum by the end of the opening session, firing a break of 128 in the seventh frame and hauling the match back level at 4-4.

Trump broke down on a break of 52 in the 10th frame and Robertson punished him with a 75 clearance to go 6-4 in front.

And a missed red in the next let in Robertson to make his second century of the match, a break of 114 stretching his advantage to 7-4.

Robertson missed a golden chance to move one frame from victory when he broke down on a break of 65 in the next, a missed red to the middle letting in Trump to win his third frame in a row and level the scores.

It was Trump himself who went one from victory but a poor break-off in the next was all it took for Robertson to rattle his third century of the match, a 125 total clearance, to force the decider.

“I have had a few question marks over my form but it’s a little bit harsh expecting fireworks every time I play,” added Trump.

“That doesn’t happen. But I’m happy with how I’m playing and how I am able to dig in when I need to.”