Aussie Neil Robertson wants to be world’s best

Neil Robertson set his sights on becoming only the second ever overseas world number one after climbing to a career-high third in the provisional rankings by winning his second Grand Prix crown.

The left-hander from Melbourne cruised to a 9-4 victory over Ding Junhui at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall last night to lift the fourth ranking title of his career.

Robertson, 27, is now the most successful player from outside the British Isles in terms of ranking tournaments.

He admitted he is far more interested in overhauling John Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan in the race for the world number one spot.

But he knows he may have to win one of the game's two biggest prizes - the World or UK Championship - to do so and thus emulate the first overseas number one, Canada's Cliff Thorburn.

"I've won the Grand Prix twice, which is our third biggest ranking tournament," said Robertson, after emerging victorious in what was only the second ranking final between two non-Britons in the history of the game.

"I think winning the UK, Masters or Worlds is left for me to put myself up there as a really top player.

"John's quite a fair way ahead on the provisional rankings at number one.

"But there's no reason why I can't give it a good go. To get to number one would be an unbelievable achievement.

"Some people don't think it's quite as good as being world champion. But I think if you can get to number one in the world, it proves you've been the most consistent player for two years.

"Being world champion, you've probably been the most consistent player for two weeks.

"It would definitely be a great achievement and I can only just practise harder from now on and give it a really good go."

In a match hailed as one of the finest in Grand Prix history, Robertson beat world champion Higgins on the final black to set up last night's showdown with Ding.

Another classic looked on the cards following three centuries in an opening session which Robertson edged 4-3.

Ding, 22, demonstrated the new-found fighting spirit which was the hallmark of his run to the final by levelling at 4-4.

But he never recovered from losing an epic 57-minute ninth frame as 2006 champion Robertson's stifling tactics paid dividends.
Nevertheless, the Grand Prix halted a barren run for Ding, who had not reached a major final for two and a half years before the weekend.

He is now back up to ninth in the provisional rankings and believes he is beginning to show the form which brought him his three tournament wins before his 20th birthday.

"I did well in the Shanghai Masters and in this one also," he said.

"My ranking has come back now and my confidence has come back. I'm feeling good."