• Wuxi Classic

Robertson edges friend Perry to defend Wuxi crown

Neil Robertson is now tied for seventh with Jimmy White on 10 career ranking titles © Getty Images

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Neil Robertson is Wuxi Classic champion for the second year running after he narrowly edged Joe Perry 10-9 in Sunday's final.

The world No.3 came back from 9-8 down to claim the £85,000 top prize and first ranking title of the season. It is the 10th ranking title of Robertson's career and the Australian now stands tied for seventh in the all-time list with Jimmy White.

"Joe is one of my best friends on tour and if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be here today," Robertson told worldsnooker.com. "He has taught me so much about the game and been such a great influence on my career over the past ten years.

"At the end I was really emotional. Maybe people thought it was because I'd won, but in fact it was for Joe as he was there at the start of my career. He should be winning tournaments and hopefully this experience will help him push on and win a big one and get into the world's top ten where he belongs.

"Everyone saw that with the way he played against Ronnie O'Sullivan at the World Championship. If he was playing anyone else today I would have been following every shot."

Perry moved 3-0 up with a break of 56 before further runs of 74 and 61 helped establish a 4-2 lead. Robertson, who earlier criticised the "unpredictable conditions" in China, hit back with 72 to win frame seven.

It remained fairly tight until Robertson opened up a two-frame lead at 8-6, but Perry won three on the spin, which included a 93 in frame 17, to move within one of his first ranking title.

However, Robertson struck back with breaks of 87 and 78 to successfully defend the title he won 12 months ago.

So happy to win the final but without Joe Perry I would not be where I am today. He is a great friend and an all round a class guy!

— Neil Robertson (@nr147) June 29, 2014

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