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Our 28/1 Betting Zone tip Neil Robertson triumphed in a dramatic final to claim his second major title of the season at the Welsh Open in Newport.

The 25-year-old followed up his Grand Prix triumph four months ago by edging past gallant outsider Andrew Higginson to claim a 9-8 victory in a gripping climax.

Robertson looked set for a comfortable victory when he led 6-2 before Higginson responded to go 8-6 ahead, but the Australian showed great character to come back and claim the closing three frames.

He collected a first prize of £35,000 and became only the fourth non-British or Irish player to win more than one ranking title after Canada's Cliff Thorburn, Thailand's James Wattana and China's Ding Junhui.

Yet despite ultimately coming up just short runner-up Higginson will be remembered.

He started the week as a 500-1 no hoper but beat world number four John Higgins in the last 32, fired in a maximum 147 break worth £22,000 during his 5-1 quarter-final win over Ali Carter and was so nearly the most surprising champion in the sport's history.

It was the third time in four years the Welsh Open final has gone the distance after Ronnie O'Sullivan's 9-8 wins over Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry in 2004 and 2005.

Robertson, who in his previous three matches impressively overcame former Crucible kings Hendry, O'Sullivan and, in the semi-finals, Davis, was straight into the scoring groove.

He stroked in a 76 break to take the opening frame but Higginson, widely regarded as the most unlikely finalist in a major snooker event, immediately hit back.

Higginson, who had never before progressed past a last 16, fired in a run of 114 to emphatically tie the scores at 1-1.

From that juncture, however, mistakes began to creep into the game of Higginson, who has fought his way through from the first qualifying round, surviving eight matches in total.

Seizing command with breaks of 46, 71, 98 and 74, Robertson also had a hefty slice of good fortune on his side in a fifth frame that he plundered with a last red to pink clearance launched by an outrageous fluke.

Down 6-2, Higginson looked to be heading for a heavy defeat until he made an explosive start to the final session.

Playing with the freedom and confidence he displayed all week, Higginson required only 48 minutes to draw level at 6-6.

During this remarkable fightback, Higginson compiled breaks of 54, 100 - his ninth century of the tournament - and 97 in outscoring Robertson by 360 points to 10.

By now it was clear Robertson was feeling the pressure and not enjoying the kindest run of the ball either.

The left-hander did not pot a ball in the 13th frame and after cruelly running in-off in potting a green in the 14th, sat out an outstanding 81 clearance from Higginson.

Robertson refused to crumble, though, and set up an enthralling decider with runs of 92 and 59.

And Robertson did not allow Higginson to bother the scorers in the decider, taking it 70-0.

Robertson, who has rocketed to seventh in the provisional world rankings, accepted that he had been on the verge of defeat and could not praise Higginson highly enough.

"At 6-2 Andrew's arm was loose. He probably thought he had nothing to lose and the way he played in the next six frames was breath-taking," he said.

"He was incredible and when he did miss the odd ball he seemed to get away with it. I knew I just had to remain patient and believe in myself.

"I wasn't super-panicky but of course I was getting a little anxious. It was just a matter of getting a chance and thankfully I got it."

Having watched Higginson almost pull off a gigantic upset, Robertson could not work out why it has taken him so long - he turned professional in 1996 - to make an impact.

"I don't know where he has been until now. It's a mystery to me. He should be in the top 16."

Higginson found it impossible to be too downhearted.

"I've really enjoyed this and it is an experience I'll never forget. I can't grumble, the week has been beyond my wildest dreams."

He added: "I don't want to be a one-hit wonder. The tournament has really opened my eyes to what I can achieve. I thought it was my time but Neil did really well to catch me in the end."