Saudi Arabia Masters snooker recap - Neil Robertson edges Ronnie O'Sullivan in epic final frame to win £500,000 jackpot in Jeddah
Updated 16/08/2025 at 22:41 GMT+1
React to this story
After a week of high-quality snooker action, including two 147 breaks in the semi-finals, Neil Robertson edged out Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-9 in an epic Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters final. O’Sullivan wowed the crowd in Jeddah on Friday evening with two maximums, but a resurgent Robertson dominated the first session to lead 6-2 as they chased a £500,000 first prize, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Robertson holds nerve to make 'biggest shot of tournament' and claim Saudi Arabia Masters title
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ronnie O'Sullivan produced a rousing comeback in the Saudi Arabia Masters final in Jeddah, but came up agonisingly short in a 10-9 defeat to Neil Robertson.
Having trailed 6-2 after the opening session, a break of 97 saw the 2010 world champion move 7-2 clear only for snooker GOAT O'Sullivan to find some epic scoring form to hit back in style.
Breaks of 139, 97, 89, 57, 80 and 64 saw O'Sullivan move 9-8 clear by winning seven of the next eight frames, but he was unfortunate in the final two frames of the match not to claim the coveted trophy.
He was twice unlucky not to get the right split on the pack of reds that would have surely completed the comeback with the Australian holding his nerve superbly as breaks of 101 and 89 saw him snatch the huge £500,000 winner's cheque on the final few balls.
"Neil deserved his victory. He was the better player today, I just tried to hang onto him, tried to make a bit of a game of it, and I was just pleased that I did tonight," said O'Sullivan.
"Because 6-2 down, he outplayed me, 7-2 down I thought it was going to be an early night, so I was just pleased to at least take it a little bit longer.
"Neil deserved his victory, he played the better snooker, probably played the best snooker all week.
"Coming here at the start of the week, I’d have been happy to win a couple of matches, so to get the final I’m obviously happy, you can’t be too greedy."
A rejuvenated Robertson earns £500,000, the biggest winner's cheque of his career, and ends the week as world No. 3 while O'Sullivan is up to world No. 4 and picked up £380,333 as a consolation.
He collected £200,000 as a runner-up and another £180,333 for his two 147s against Chris Wakelin in the semi-finals plus a share of the £50,000 highest break prize.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/08/16/image-10df2c3d-2d1f-4496-b878-a54f6a1b4f48-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
O'Sullivan just wanted to 'win couple of matches' in Saudi Arabia
Video credit: TNT Sports
Result: O'Sullivan 9-10 Robertson
"Ronnie was pretty unlucky in the final couple of frames to not get a split on the reds, otherwise it would have been all over, said Robertson, who will end the week as world No. 3.
"It is not about winning or losing. I'm just grateful to share this stage with him. I'm just glad I could be part of something special.
"I think this surpasses the World Championship, but to beat him here with so much on the line is definitely my best win."
O'Sullivan 9-9 Robertson (39-91)
Another terrific clearance of 87 from Neil to claim the title.
O'Sullivan 9-9 Robertson (39-64)
Nothing safe out there. Just all about the white and controlling the cue ball. In goes pink, but he is not nicely on final red. In goes red to green bag. And that should be that. What a pot that is.
O'Sullivan 9-9 Robertson (39-34)
Ronnie so close to winning this title, but looks like he may lose out in the final few balls. Unless there is another twist.
O'Sullivan 9-9 Robertson (39-27)
All about nerves now because they are all there for the potting here.
O'Sullivan 9-9 Robertson (39-11)
O'Sullivan tried to slot an audacious plant on reds I think. Doesn't drop, and this is a golden chance for Neil to win it. Not sure that was the right shot. But anyway, it is out of his hands.
O'Sullivan 9-9 Robertson (39-4)
This is getting really tense now as Neil adds four points, but white keeps running and ends up touching the brown from a pot on red. Will be end of break here.
O'Sullivan 9-9 Robertson (39-1)
Neil short of pace with the escape off one cushion. Gets there the second time. Lead is 39 points, but a poor safety shot by Ronnie in hitting middle jaw. What a blunder as Robertson drops in a plant on reds.
O'Sullivan 9-9 Robertson (35-0)
End of break on 31 with a lead of 35 points. Reds never opened off black and just safety to follow. Fine shot by Neil to get red in behind yellow, but Ronnie produces a stunning response to flick white of red and get white in behind the yellow. What a shot that was. Crowd loving that.
O'Sullivan 9-9 Robertson (27-0)
Nice shot from Ronnie. Blue downed and is in out and out baulk. Just about right side of blue as he comes down for red next to black. Back down table for the green this time. Break not getting any easier. But he is back on the final loose red.
O'Sullivan 9-9 Robertson (11-0)
Chance for Ronnie after error by Neil. In goes red, and he is on pink too. How far can he go with this break here? Pink is drained to right middle.
O'Sullivan 9-9 Robertson (4-0)
Decent break-off by Ronnie, but Neil with a nice containing safety shot in response. Only eight points split the players on the overall aggregate from 18 frames. Robertson short of pace trying to hit a red off top cushion. Hits it second time, but leaves a touching ball. Back to baulk from O'Sullivan.
O'Sullivan 9-9 Robertson (0-0)
Ronnie breaks off then for the final frame of this epic battle. The £300,000 frame. All you want is one big chance in the deciding frame.
O'Sullivan 9-9 Robertson (0-0)
Judd Trump won this trophy on the final black last year, and we are suddenly heading for a repeat outcome a year later.
O'Sullivan 9-8 Robertson (16-101)
A wonderful total clearance of 101 from Neil and this final is level at 9-9. Ronnie didn't land on a red in splitting the pack and this has been the result. Really is wide open now.
O'Sullivan 9-8 Robertson (16-69)
Heading for a decider surely now. Break reaches 65 and the black goes down. Red to left centre follows. This has been a superb effort from Neil.
O'Sullivan 9-8 Robertson (16-49)
Drops in the blue to green pocket. And red is drained to yellow bag. Inching towards the winning post in this frame.
O'Sullivan 9-8 Robertson (16-43)
A lead of 23 points now. Catches brown coming out of baulk. Still on the green. In goes green followed by mid-range red. Still on blue to green pocket.
O'Sullivan 9-8 Robertson (16-33)
Into the lead in frame by nine points. Still plenty of reds out in open to put away.
O'Sullivan 9-8 Robertson (16-19)
Would fancy him to get the job done here the way these balls are situated. Hard to see where this could go wrong.
O'Sullivan 9-8 Robertson (16-7)
Chance then for Neil to force this decider as he picks out a red to right middle after Ronnie failed to get white back to baulk. Was an excellent pot. Looks like 9-9 could be on cards. Reds wide open.
O'Sullivan 9-8 Robertson (16-0)
Ronnie straight into reds off black, but not on a red. A bit unfortunate to say the least. Goes for a double on a red to left centre, but nowhere near it. Played with safety in mind.
O'Sullivan 9-8 Robertson (8-0)
O'Sullivan has won seven of the last eight frames to edge 9-8 in front. Robertson breaks off for frame 18. Quite a remarkable final in Jeddah. But a stunning long red by Ronnie right away, and he is on black too. Now then.
O'Sullivan 9-8 Robertson (0-0)
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/08/16/image-5709d5dd-c60e-453f-8f22-469ebab53cda-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
O'Sullivan levels against Robertson in Saudi Arabia Masters final with 'incredible' clearance
Video credit: TNT Sports
O'Sullivan 8-8 Robertson (85-31)
O'Sullivan drops in the long yellow left on, and that is your lot for this frame folks as he mops up to black. Ronnie leads 9-8. He is ahead for the first time in this final after trailing 7-2. One up with a possible two frames to play.
O'Sullivan 8-8 Robertson (65-31)
Ronnie coming off two cushions to hit the yellow from a pretty demanding snooker.
O'Sullivan 8-8 Robertson (65-31)
O'Sullivan escaping from a snooker as Robertson rolls white up behind blue. Not giving up here in this frame. O'Sullivan forced to escape from a couple more snookers.
O'Sullivan 8-8 Robertson (65-31)
Robbo chasing this down to the final red then. Screws down table for final red. What happens now? 42 points the difference with 35 remaining. Opting to play for snookers on the colours.
O'Sullivan 8-8 Robertson (65-15)
Stunning red from Neil to green bag, but not on next red from the black. Just safety to follow. And sets up a nice snooker. Which Ronnie escapes from. 57 the difference. Two snookers required.
O'Sullivan 8-8 Robertson (65-0)
Superb cut on a red from Ronnie to right middle. Robertson needing two snookers now otherwise O'Sullivan will lead for the first time in this final.
O'Sullivan 8-8 Robertson (64-0)
Ronnie doing his work with reds and blues at the moment. Getting some real bite on that white ball too. But he isn't top side of the blue. Forces an angle and lands on next red. Lovely little cannon on black after red is drained. Could be moving ahead here in this final. But he doesn't land on a red from the split off black. Still 67 remaining. Just safety to follow.
O'Sullivan 8-8 Robertson (18-0)
O'Sullivan is timing the ball superbly out there this evening. Really is. Has come alive since going 7-2 down. Chance to build the lead here.
O'Sullivan 8-8 Robertson (6-0)
Ronnie breaks off for frame 17 of a possible 19 with £500,000 on the line. 6-2 to Neil this avo, 6-2 to Ronnie this evening. And Ronnie bangs in a tremendous long red with top spin.
O'Sullivan 7-8 Robertson (62-46)
A 38-minute frame as O'Sullivan manages to screw behind black and lay a snooker with brown near green bag. What happens next? A great escape from Neil to hit brown on swereve, but Ronnie cans long brown. Brilliant pot. In goes blue, pink and black. This final is all level at 8-8. A dramatic conclusion. Nothing in this now.
O'Sullivan 7-8 Robertson (40-46)
O'Sullivan gets lucky to escape from a snooker and leave Robertson snookered, but he then pots red to right centre in escaping from the snooker. Remarkable stuff. He opts against slotting blue, and rolls up behind the blue. Ronnie escapes, but sticks up the yellow. And in goes the yellow from distance. On green, but no angle to land on brown on baulk cushion. So coming down to the brown then as green is dropped in.
O'Sullivan 7-8 Robertson (40-40)
These three reds are all fairly safe at the moment. One red out in open. So could take some time to sort out this frame. 10 minutes since the last pot. Both men have had chances in this frame. Neil then drains the red out in open. Where does he go next? Leaves a double on penultimate red, and in it goes. Opts to leave white behind pink rather than pot black, and Ronnie hits red on first go.
O'Sullivan 7-8 Robertson (40-35)
Down to final three reds in frame, but Neil then misses red down table to the yellow pocket. This frame is going to be a close finale as Ronnie sticks a red over green bag. But Neil can't pot it. Tension has taken a grip on the cue actions.
O'Sullivan 7-8 Robertson (40-27)
Lovely shot from Ronnie to bounce off top cush in slotting red and back up for pink. This is a golden chance to level up at 8-8. Phew! All happening out there as black just about manages to struggle in to right middle. But he misses a plant on two reds. Didn't expect that to stay out. Huge moments.
O'Sullivan 7-8 Robertson (11-19)
Well, that is unbelievable as Neil misses a red to left centre. How has he missed that? Pressure is mounting in Jeddah. A reprieve for Ronnie that he never expected.
O'Sullivan 7-8 Robertson (0-13)
Balls are wide open now for Neil to piece together a frame-winning contribution. Ronnie can only sit and digest that missed red.
O'Sullivan 7-8 Robertson (0-7)
Ronnie missing a red thin, and has been put back in by Neil. O'Sullivan plays a careless shot to stick up a red, but he misses it to yellow bag. Ronnie then misses a red trying to force an angle among balls, and that could be so costly. Wasn't easy, but expected him to make it.
O'Sullivan 7-8 Robertson (0-2)
Same again from Neil as he doesn't land on a colour from the long red. Ronnie swiping his cue after getting the safety shot all wrong to set up his opponent. Robbo off one cushion to hit the brown. Decent escape.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/08/16/image-e3002c91-98f9-4ed6-aba0-9f3cbcead19e-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
O'Sullivan delights with perfect shot on the black - 'Just floated it in beautifully'
Video credit: TNT Sports
O'Sullivan 7-8 Robertson (0-1)
Neil won the first session 6-2 this afternoon, but Ronnie is 5-2 ahead this evening. O'Sullivan goes for a long red, but well off the potting angle. No real damage done. Nice long red from Neil, but not on colour as he runs safe off black.
O'Sullivan 7-8 Robertson (0-0)
Who is your money on now? This one still right in the melting pot. One-visit snooker seems to be the level of this match. One mistake so costly on this table in Jeddah.
O'Sullivan 7-7 Robertson (0-75)
The frames rattling by out there. 75 from Neil this time, and is it an 8-7 lead in the race to 10 in Jeddah.
O'Sullivan 7-7 Robertson (0-53)
Difficult to see where he goes wrong from here. Surely going to be an 8-7 lead for the former world champion. On the cusp of frame then.
O'Sullivan 7-7 Robertson (0-45)
Not much between the Aussie and the winning line in frame if he can keep the white under tight control.
O'Sullivan 7-7 Robertson (0-31)
Floats in a blue with some conviction before holding for the red near the black spot. Can he hold himself together to regain the lead at 8-7? Looks very promising.
O'Sullivan 7-7 Robertson (0-17)
This white ball is covering a fair bit of ground in the early moments of this break from Neil.
O'Sullivan 7-7 Robertson (0-10)
Nice starter from Robertson in this frame. Excellent long red and in goes yellow. Chance then to stem the tide after the O'Sullivan comeback
O'Sullivan 7-7 Robertson (0-0)
Off we go then for frame 15. O'Sullivan back to 7-7 having reeled off five straight frames from 7-2 down. Where do we go from here?
O'Sullivan 6-7 Robertson (80-40)
Well, this is really clinical from Ronnie. Pouncing on the Robertson blunder. An 80 break from O'Sullivan. We are all square at 7-7.
O'Sullivan 6-7 Robertson (49-33)
All these reds are there for the taking now. Just needs to mind his white ball and this could easily be 7-7 the way he is hitting this white. Seeing these pots like pool balls. Just needs the three reds that are out in the open.
O'Sullivan 6-7 Robertson (16-33)
Lovely cutback pot on a black by Ronnie to float the object ball into the heart of the pocket. Can get himself right back into the frame now.
O'Sullivan 6-7 Robertson (1-33)
At least looking to build a healthy lead in this frame after Ronnie for once couldn't cart home a long red. Nice recovery pot on a red near pink to reach 28. But he loses the white on 33 trying to force white round the angles from blue. And he misses the long red. And sticks it up too.
O'Sullivan 6-7 Robertson (0-4)
A chance early in this 14th frame for Neil then as he cans long red before coming down to baulk for yellow. Trying to steady the ship here.
O'Sullivan 5-7 Robertson (104-1)
A quickfire 57 to finish the frame for Ronnie after he opened with 47. What a final we have now.
O'Sullivan 5-7 Robertson (101-1)
Ronnie right in the hunt now for this title. Robertson has scored two points in the past four frames. Which tells you where we are in this final.
O'Sullivan 5-7 Robertson (66-1)
Another safety error by Neil leaves Ronnie back among the balls. Tough pink to left centre after slotting red, but he makes it look easy. Surely this is going 7-6 soon. Wide open now.
O'Sullivan 5-7 Robertson (47-1)
This looks very promising for O'Sullivan to close to within one frame of the Aussie, having trailed 7-2. Break moves to 35, but he has lost the white here. Nice recovery pot on a blue to left centre. But he has lost the white on 47. A fine safety shot to finish the contribution.
O'Sullivan 5-7 Robertson (13-1)
Chance falls to Ronnie after Neil fails to sink a tough cut on a long red. Suddenly he is back among them.
O'Sullivan 5-7 Robertson (0-1)
A rare bout of considered safety play in progress here. A battle of wits to gain the next chance.
O'Sullivan 5-7 Robertson (0-1)
Terrific long red by Robertson, but nothing to add at this visit. 139, 97 and 89 from Ronnie in the past three frames.
O'Sullivan 5-7 Robertson (0-0)
The balls are rolling then for the 13th frame of this final. O'Sullivan reeled off three frames in around 35 minutes. But it might get different if it gets closer this evening. Who knows..
O'Sullivan 4-7 Robertson (89-0)
89 from O'Sullivan, and he is back to only 7-5 behind in the chase for the title and the £500,000 first prize.
O'Sullivan 4-7 Robertson (81-0)
This is just so good. The break-building is something else. In goes red to left middle. O'Sullivan three chances, and three frame-winning breaks have followed. Supreme stuff.
O'Sullivan 4-7 Robertson (52-0)
This is looking very promising from O'Sullivan out there. Robertson frozen out for the past few frames. Could be back to within two frames heading for a cuppa at the interval.
O'Sullivan 4-7 Robertson (31-0)
Nice from Ronnie to land on a red after prodding in black. And he opts to head back for yellow to stay out of trouble. Still not plain sailing with reds all bunched together.
O'Sullivan 4-7 Robertson (12-0)
Another safety blunder by Robo early in the 12th frame. Almost fluked a red to left centre, but sticks up the red for Ronnie to get started. What is he going to produce here? Another chance to erect a healthy lead in this 12th frame.
O'Sullivan 4-7 Robertson (0-0)
O'Sullivan claiming the past two frames with only two chances. Also won at a very rapid pace.
O'Sullivan 3-7 Robertson (97-1)
A classy knock of 97 from O'Sullivan, who is suddenly back to 7-4 behind in the race to 10. Big frame coming up before the mid-session break.
O'Sullivan 3-7 Robertson (84-1)
This could be another century on the agenda for O'Sullivan. Super little cut on a red to left middle. White ball is on a piece of string out there.
O'Sullivan 3-7 Robertson (53-1)
This is exceptional stuff again from Ronnie. Cutting through these balls like a knife through butter. Already over the 50-mark then.
O'Sullivan 3-7 Robertson (14-1)
Neil butchers a long-range red, but Ronnie then slams home a magical long-range red of his own. Back among the balls here at the business end of table. Will be looking to build a healthy lead here.
O'Sullivan 3-7 Robertson (0-1)
O'Sullivan with chance of a mid-range red, but doesn't drop. Was hampered by the green. Neil slots a plant on two, but just safety to follow.
O'Sullivan 3-7 Robertson (0-0)
Two more frames before the mid-session interval. Ronnie would dearly love to claim both of them. O'Sullivan breaks off for frame 11.
O'Sullivan 2-7 Robertson (139-0)
A clearance of 139 from O'Sullivan, who claims that frame in only eight minutes. Supreme stuff.
O'Sullivan 2-7 Robertson (106-0)
An 11th century of the tournament from Ronnie. Like shelling peas among the balls. Vital that he keeps up momentum though.
O'Sullivan 2-7 Robertson (84-0)
This has been brilliant from O'Sullivan. Much more like his usual self. Just a few balls short. In goes the red he requires. Reds open now, and this could be a total clearance from the seven-time world champion.
O'Sullivan 2-7 Robertson (54-0)
Nice shot from Ronnie to nip in a black and hold for the next red to right middle. Glorious chance now for Ronnie to pull one frame back.
O'Sullivan 2-7 Robertson (17-0)
Long way back now for Ronnie, who has never recovered from this deficit in any final in his career. Essentially gifted his opponent an easy opener for that 97, but a safety error by Robbo gives Ronnie chance to piece together some points now. Big visit here.
O'Sullivan 2-6 Robertson (40-97)
Robertson heading for a 7-2 advantage as blue is drained. One more red left up. But it is dropped in too. Can he open with a century? Brilliant pot on a brown to continue his visit to table. Not quite on the black, but no matter. A break of 97. O'Sullivan needs to start playing soon out there otherwise this final will be done soon.
O'Sullivan 2-6 Robertson (33-49)
Nudges a nice red into the left centre pocket to continue this break. Scores now all level in the frame. Robertson closing in on first frame of the evening, it would seem. These should all have been O'Sullivan's. And he will know so too.
O'Sullivan 2-6 Robertson (33-24)
Could be a big moment in this match. O'Sullivan breaking down under little or no pressure. Could cost him the frame here.
O'Sullivan 2-6 Robertson (33-8)
Well, that is a shocker for Ronnie. Lost the white ball, out of position and goes for a thin cut on a red which is nowhere near it. Didn't expect that blunder.
O'Sullivan 2-6 Robertson (25-0)
Bit of a safety blunder by Robertson. Leaves O'Sullivan a mid-range red, and he slides that home with ease. Chance then to get hand on table to score a few points.
O'Sullivan 2-6 Robertson (0-0)
Breaks of 76, 108, 81 and 61 from Neil so far with Ronnie producing 92 and 67 to secure his two frames of the final. A fine reception for both men inside the arena in Jeddah. O'Sullivan breaks off in frame nine of the final.
Almost ready to return in Jeddah
Should be quite the final tonight at the Saudi Arabia Masters in the chase for the £500,000 first prize.
O'Sullivan needs to make a fast start this evening, trailing 6-2 to Neil Robertson from the opening session this afternoon.
The Aussie dominated the first session with a mixture of solid scoring and crafty matchplay enough to open up a four-frame lead.
He needs four more frames for the title with O'Sullivan looking to capture his peak form as he plays catch-up.
Hopefully, O'Sullivan can find the form that he produced against Chris Wakelin last night when he compiled two magical 147s in his 6-3 win.
Read more here:
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/08/15/image-538cef3b-6769-4811-85ae-5237441a0ecd-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
He’s done it again! Watch as O’Sullivan makes second 147 in stunning semi-final showing
Video credit: TNT Sports
Rocket brought down to earth
Ronnie O'Sullivan has it all to do in the concluding session of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters final, as Neil Robertson takes a four-frame advantage into the evening after dominating the Rocket in the first eight frames.
The action will resume at 5.30pm on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Despite playing against a man who made two 147s in the semi-final, Robertson looked confident from the off, making three frame-winning breaks before the interval (76, 108 and 81), with O'Sullivan's 92 in the second his only early frame on the board.
When the players returned, O'Sullivan's 67 reduced the deficit to one but, after out-scoring his opponent before the interval, Robertson won the scrappy frames in the second segment of the afternoon session.
For much of the early play neither player was at their best with long potting, but Robertson managed to find his form in the key moments and took the last three frames to build an imposing 6-2 lead - even for a player of O'Sullivan's class.
O'Sullivan 2-6 Robertson
A double on the last blue secured the last frame for Robertson and as great as O'Sullivan has played this week, he is well up against it going into the final session.
O'Sullivan 2-5 Robertson (24-37*)
It hasn't been easy going up and down to baulk, but a delicate red along the bottom cushion and subsequent pink have opened up the table for him now.
O'Sullivan 2-5 Robertson (24-8*)
O'Sullivan leaves Robertson with a long straight red from the baulk line and duly he fires it in. With the black now in play he has an opportunity to take control of the frame.
O'Sullivan 2-5 Robertson (24-0)
Throughout the break, O'Sullivan was not happy with his cue ball control and ended up missing a tricky blue with his left hand as he looked to open the pack.
O'Sullivan 2-5 Robertson (6*-0)
An attacking safety from O'Sullivan leads to an error from Robertson, leaving a trickyish cut from O'Sullivan, but he puts it away and now will look to build a score, though it isn't the easiest table at present.
O'Sullivan 2-5 Robertson
For the second frame in succession breaks of 40 and 30 take Robertson to success. What a crucial frame this last one of the session is now.
O'Sullivan 2-4 Robertson (8-72*)
Robertson has now secured a fifth frame and will take a lead going into this evening's session.
O'Sullivan 2-4 Robertson (8-41*)
Robertson's good safety led to O'Sullivan giving him another chance, albeit a tough plant near the right cushion, but he potted the red and is building another break.
O'Sullivan 2-4 Robertson (8-40)
Key shot from Robertson on the blue but he only gently touches the bunch and does not leave a pot on, so has to play safe.
O'Sullivan 2-4 Robertson (8-6*)
A fine red into the right middle from Robertson and he has the chance to build a score on a pretty attractive looking table.
O'Sullivan 2-4 Robertson (4-1)
Robertson follows up a fine long red by leaving the black in the jaws, but is fortunate not to leave anything easy on.
O'Sullivan 2-4 Robertson
Just a 34 from Robertson but it is enough to get over the line and he should take an advantage into this evening's final session now.
O'Sullivan 2-3 Robertson (1-67*)
The frame is Robertson's now and he re-establishes his two-frame advantage.
O'Sullivan 2-3 Robertson (1-42*)
Robertson ends the impasse with the type of arrow-straight long red he could trademark, but has been conspicuous with its absence today. Now he should polish off the frame.
O'Sullivan 2-3 Robertson (1-41)
Just the 41 before losing position from Robertson this time. It's the first time someone has got in on the table and not made a half ton.
O'Sullivan 2-3 Robertson (1-8*)
A good safety from Robertson sees O'Sullivan collide with the blue as he looked to come back up the table and, after potting the red, Robertson was just able to squeeze the black in. Now he can put a dent in the frame.
O'Sullivan 2-3 Robertson (1*-0)
Finally an arrow-true long red from O'Sullivan but he turns down a black off the spot with no good angle to get on a red and plays safe to the baulk end.
O'Sullivan 2-3 Robertson
Each frame has had a half century, this one was 67 from O'Sullivan to halve the deficit.
O'Sullivan 1-3 Robertson (69*-5)
Frame sealed, now O'Sullivan looking for a century.
O'Sullivan 1-3 Robertson (42*-5)
As average as they have been with long pots, when amongst the balls they both look in command and, after negotiating a tough start, it would be a surprise if O'Sullivan does not real the frame now.
O'Sullivan 1-3 Robertson (9*-5)
O'Sullivan misses a red by a long way on the thick side. Robertson the misses a mid-range shot and the Rocket takes advantage.
O'Sullivan 1-3 Robertson (8-5)
Strange period of play, Robertson was too soft on a red leaving it just short of the bottom right pocket and then, after potting red and black, O'Sullivan looking to make thin contact on a safety shot missed a red completely.
O'Sullivan 1-3 Robertson (0-1)
Robertson with a good long pot but on the baulk line has no shot so plays a snooker behind the yellow.
O'Sullivan 1-3 Robertson
The break ends at 81 but the Aussie will be more than happy with how this match has played out so far - taking a lead into the first interval.
O'Sullivan 1-2 Robertson (0-70*)
A long red secures the frame and a two-frame interval lead for Robertson. He will now look for another century.
O'Sullivan 1-2 Robertson (0-49*)
He was far from his best yesterday, but as you'd expect from a player of his quality, Robertson has upped his game when he needed to today.
O'Sullivan 1-2 Robertson (0-1*)
Another miss from O'Sullivan gives Robertson first chance in this frame.
Incredible Robertson red
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/08/16/image-e86dc2e9-044e-4e3f-9174-61908ad7461b-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Oh what an effort this is!' - Robertson nails impudent 'trick shot' against O'Sullivan
Video credit: TNT Sports
O'Sullivan 1-2 Robertson
There have been bigger century breaks but not many better than that 108 from Robertson, negotiating a tricky table and maneuvering himself to take the lead once more. That brings his career tally to 992.
O'Sullivan 1-1 Robertson (4-52*)
The third half-century of the match and the frame will surely soon be clinched.
O'Sullivan 1-1 Robertson (4-15*)
It was a difficult start to the break but with a very good plant, he has opened up the black for business and can build a big score now.
O'Sullivan 1-1 Robertson (4-1*)
A surprising miss of a long blue from O'Sullivan, and a miss by a distance. Now Robertson will attempt to put a dent in the frame.
O'Sullivan 1-1 Robertson (1*-0)
Robertson is now 0-5 on long pots and again he leaves a comfortable mid-range pot for O'Sullivan to start a break again.
O'Sullivan 1-1 Robertson
We didn't get a century but two fine breaks in each frame - O'Sullivan's there ending on 92.
O'Sullivan 0-1 Robertson (79*-0)
The frame is O'Sullivan's but he needs to pot the last three reds, each on a cushion to reach a ton.
O'Sullivan 0-1 Robertson (50*-0)
O'Sullivan comfortably reaches the half-century mark and is just three reds away from taking the frame.
O'Sullivan 0-1 Robertson (9*-0)
Robertson misses a long pot wildly, sending the balls strewn around the table and O'Sullivan now has his first chance to get his hand on the table.
O'Sullivan 0-1 Robertson
A great break of 76 from Robertson, including an audacious pot of a red off the cushion. The long yellow just stayed out to deny him the chance of a century.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Robertson (0-81*)
The frame is Robertson's now and he's notched the first of, surely, many half-centuries of the match.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Robertson (0-30*)
An ill-advised attempted pot from O'Sullivan (if you can dare to say that), leaves Robertson with an easy red and he should seal the frame, or close to it, on this visit.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Robertson (0-29)
The break ends and then Robertson puts O'Sullivan in a difficult snooker behind the yellow. The first time Ronnie misses and the ball is put back. He questions the re-positioning and Robertson, as you'd expect, is happy for the ball to be wherever the Rocket thought it should be. Second-time around he hits a red.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Robertson (0-15*)
After slightly falling out of position, a good red into the left middle, then green allows him to get back amongst the balls.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Robertson (0-1*)
A good exhibition of safety ends with a poor one from Robertson but O'Sullivan only has a tricky mid-range shot on, which he misses, and the Aussie is gifted the chance to get the first points on the board.
The boys are on the baize
The action will get underway shortly.
Ronnie on 'incredible' night
"It was incredible really," O'Sullivan said on TNT Sports after his two maximum breaks in his 6-3 victory over Chris Wakelin.
"Crazy....crazy.
"When I got my first one I thought ok cool. I remember them saying if you get the second one you get the prize [£147,000].
"Jackson Page [who made two 147s in a qualifying match] came into my mind I thought if he can do it, I can do it."
What a final in front of us...
Welcome to our coverage of the Saudi Masters where Ronnie O'Sullivan comes in fresh from the best session of his glittering career, with those two 147s, but if there is one player who can go with him in a shoot-out it is Neil Robertson. Our coverage starts at 11am on TNT Sports and discovery+.
O’Sullivan v Robertson, here we go
Two of snooker’s big guns will lock horns in the final of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
Fresh from his two maximum breaks in the semi-finals, Ronnie O’Sullivan will face Neil Robertson in the title match.
The action is live on TNT Sports and discovery+ from 11am UK time, while you can follow the action right here with our text commentary.
- - -
Watch and stream top snooker action, including the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Matches
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/2229.png)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/2208.png)
10
9
Advertisement
Advertisement