English Open snooker: Judd Trump beats Neil Robertson 9-8 in final

In a repeat of last year's Champion Of Champions final - another classic match that needed a deciding frame to separate these two modern-day giants - fortunes ebbed and flowed between the pair all day, though Robertson would have thought he had made a winning move when surging into a three-frame lead before Trump came roaring back in now trademark fashion.

Having had to withstand a real onslaught from Robertson which at one stage saw the Australian win six frames out seven, Trump calmly rallied to level the scores at 7-7 after Robertson had missed a simple red to middle when looking certain to go 8-6 in front and put himself within a frame of victory.

From that moment on, a 10th consecutive win in ranking finals for Trump appeared inevitable until Robertson hauled himself back into the contest to force a final-frame decider with a flawless total clearance of 125 that really should have made Trump stiffen in his chair.

As it was, the world number one responded in kind, a near-perfect run of 114 finally ending Robertson's brilliant and brave resistance while once again confirming Trump as the King of the sport.

The match began in rather more low-key fashion as both players took some time to warm to their task, Trump's superior safety game helping him win three of the first four frames before Robertson burst into life with breaks of 75, 128 and 61 to lead for the first time.

Only Trump's second half-century of the match ensured the scores were level at the end of the first session but he looked in desperate trouble when Robertson kicked off the evening's entertainment with a series of big breaks that would provide a taster for what was to come.

Robertson reeled off contributions of 56, 75 and 114 to claim the first three frames of the night but Trump would not be bowed, reducing his arrears to 7-5 with a gutsy hand of 76 that let his opponent know that the night was still young.

Indeed it was, and when Trump returned from the mid-session interval to win three more frames in succession - including an ultimately-decisive 14th frame in which Robertson had done all the leg-work when in first with a break of 65 - the match had been turned on its head.

A best of 17-frames match had now become a three-frame shootout and Robertson was visibly rattled when Trump inched in front for the first time since the afternoon session, a well-taken break of 55 bringing the winning line in sight.

To his immense credit, Robertson didn't shirk the issue and after Trump had broken off, slammed home a brilliant long red before producing a masterful total clearance - his third century of the day - that belied the situation and ensured the final would have a deciding frame it so badly deserved.

This time it was Trump's turn to eye up a dangerous long red from his opponents break-off and he too refused to take a backward step. A beautifully-weighted long red left him with the black firmly in sight and within minutes Trump was racing towards his first title of the new season, the only anxious moment coming when needing to find a fine recovery pot to the green pocket.

With the hard work done, Trump never looked like slipping up thereafter and victory was assured moments later as he closed with a century - his only one of the match - and the type of stylish finish we have now become so accustomed to seeing from this winning machine.

Unlike many of Trump's other 17 ranking-title wins, this one was earned through grit and determination, perseverance and immense bravery under pressure. Above all else, it was Trump's will to succeed that won out.

He told Eurosport afterwards: “It was a really tough final and I felt most of the game Neil was probably the better player, he scored a lot heavier than me.

“The way Neil played at no point did I think I was going to win the trophy. I had to go out and earn that one, it was probably my toughest final in five years.”

“I have had a few question marks over my form but it’s a little bit harsh expecting fireworks every time I play,” added Trump.

“That doesn’t happen. But I’m happy with how I’m playing and how I am able to dig in when I need to.”