Robertson: Incredible comeback was key

Neil Robertson pinpointed an amazing escape act in the second round as his springboard to glory after he beat Graeme Dott 18-13 in the final of the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship.

As he became the first champion from outside the British Isles since Canada's Cliff Thorburn in 1980, and climbed to number two in the world rankings, Robertson revealed how he was inspired by his recovery from 11-5 behind to win 13-12 against Martin Gould.

"I checked out of my apartment and I was just thinking, 'Okay, last 16, whatever, I've blown my chances of a top-four finish. But now, a week and a half later, I'm a world champion - it's absolutely amazing," said Robertson. "It was incredible to come from 11-5 down and to still be in the tournament. I think that was definitely the key to winning it. I knew if I could overcome that I could overcome anything."

Robertson is now hoping his success kick-starts the sport in Australia.

"If this doesn't do anything then I won't call myself Australian anymore," he added.

"Obviously Australians love world champions and Olympic champions and that and it would have been a big blow if I'd lost in the final.

"I had all those sorts of pressures to deal with as well, so hopefully this can start something special."

Dott was gracious in defeat, saying: "Neil thoroughly deserved to beat me. He was by far and away the better player than me.

"How I managed to get 13 frames I really don't know."