The Thunder from Down Under faced the man who’s had his number at recent majors in Judd Trump, the bookmakers’ favourite to lift the Masters title having conquered Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-finals. Neil Robertson was able to end that hoodoo however as he dumped the Ace in the Pack out of the competition in their last four clash winning 6-3.
An extremely tense opening frame was eventually won by the Australian after thirty-five minutes. Trump showed no signs of changing his attacking style, playing shots with pace which proved to be little more than the exuberance of youth here. Robertson took advantage more often than not when left in and led 3-1 at the interval thanks to an 89 break.
Frame five seemed to be the defining one in the match. Both players had chances but didn’t take them. Trump missed a blue that would have reduced his arrears and Robertson duly cleared the last three balls to increase his advantage. The Aussie needed three opportunities in the next to go 5-1 in front. The favourite had it all to do to come back from the brink of defeat.
Trump fought back, taking the next two frames, scoring 95 in the eighth, but found the gap too wide to close as he missed a red when in amongst the balls in frame nine. Robertson made 69 and needing four snookers effectively put the match beyond the young man from Bristol. Battling on more in hope than expectation, Trump couldn’t claw points back and the Australian ran out the winner.
Murphy makes final
Shaun Murphy defeated reigning World Champion John Higgins 6-4 in the other semi. With a shock 3-1 lead at the break, the man from Rotherham who eliminated World Number One Mark Selby in the quarter finals, made three centuries to be 5-3 in front after eight frames. It was then with his back against the wall that Higgins began to battle.
The Wizard of Wishaw looked as though he would draw level, but a missed pink proved terminal for his title hopes in frame ten. Murphy then sealed the match to upset the man ranked three places higher than him. If he can defeat Robertson in the final, the South Yorkshireman can join an elite club of players that have held the sport’s Triple Crown of Masters, UK and World championships.
Who will be 2012 Masters Champion?
With Trump and Higgins both falling at the penultimate hurdle, there is no clear favourite with the bookmakers. Neither Robertson nor Murphy has made it to the final before, but this contest pits two former World Champions against one another at Alexandra Palace.
Join the Conversation