By Mark Ashenden

BBC Sport in Sheffield

Neil Robertson beat Scot Graeme Dott 18-13 to become the first Australian to win the world snooker title. Robertson, who rises to number two in the world, had trailed 5-3 but having edged ahead, kept his nose in front despite not being at his best. He sunk the last ball of a tense, error-ridden final at 0054 BST. The 28-year-old is the first player from outside the UK and Ireland to win the world title since Canadian Cliff Thorburn's victory in 1980. Snooker's showpiece event had been overshadowed by the suspension of 2009 world champion John Higgins following bribery allegations. My mum and her partner have travelled for ages and they only got two hours' sleep before the final, so for them to be here makes it absolutely perfect

Neil Robertson Big breaks were at a premium in the final, with Scotland's Dott knocking in the only century. It was a gruelling, but gripping, climax to the Sheffield tournament, with the players equalling the record set by John Higgins and Mark Selby in 2007 for the latest finish to a Crucible final. There will be huge celebrations in Robertson's home city of Melbourne as the country watched him become the first Australian to lift the famous trophy and pick up his fifth ranking title. Despite neither player being able to replicate the break-building skills showcased earlier in the 17-day tournament, there was certainly no shortage of tension as the pair traded blows in an edgy contest. Having racked up seven centuries at this tournament, Robertson's highest knock in this clash was only 90, but at the crucial times, his safety, tenacity and long potting proved enough to see off his battling opponent. Just moments after potting the final ball of the clinching frame, Robertson said the support of his family - who had flown over from Australia in time for the final - made the occasion even more special. "This is absolutely incredible," Robertson, who will receive a cheque for £250,000 for his achievement, told BBC Sport. "I seriously can't believe it. In my last-16 match, I was 11-5 down to Martin Gould and after my (semi-final) match with Ali Carter I was really disappointed I couldn't have any of my family over for the final. "Then I got a voicemail from my mum to say that when I was 15-9 up overnight against Ali, she had jumped on a plane, so it was quite lucky I finished the job off! "My mum and her partner have travelled for ages and they only got two hours' sleep before the final, so for them to be here makes it absolutely perfect." Robertson went one better than compatriot Eddie Charlton, who lost in three finals in the 1960s and 1970s, and he said he hoped his success would give the sport a major boost in Australia. "Obviously Australians love Olympic and world champions," added Robertson. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. "It would have been a big blow if I had lost in the final. I had all that pressure to contend with but hopefully this is the start of something and we can have an event there now." Dott, the 2006 Crucible winner, has battled with depression and a downturn in results in recent seasons, but found his form at the right time to reach his third world final. But the 32-year-old did not quite hit the heights in the final, and admitted Robertson had fully deserved his victory. "He was far and away the better player - how I managed to get 13 frames I don't know," said Dott. "I am obviously disappointed to lose in the final and not really perform. But I needed to get to the semi-finals to get back in the top 16 and I have played really well, so hopefully I will be back for next next year." The players resumed the final session of the final with Robertson leading 12-10, maintaining the two-frame advantage he held at the end of Sunday's action. Try as he might, Dott could not get back in front of his opponent on the scoreboard as the pressure - and, as a result, the number of mistakes - continued to grow inside snooker's most famous venue. A 57 by Dott brought the score back to 13-12 but that was as close as he got. The 29th became the longest frame of the match, with Robertson taking 48 minutes to stretch his lead to 16-13. Even the Scot looked frustrated with the pace of the game and after smashing the pack in the next, no less than three reds stopped in the jaws of the pockets to hand Robertson the frame which put him on the verge of victory. And after a 53 break in the last, a famous victory was in the bag and Robertson's mother Alison was on hand to begin the celebrations.



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