The opening leg of the Coral Series concludes on Sunday when the final of the World Grand Prix takes place inside Cheltenham Racecourse when Neil Robertson meets Graeme Dott for a coveted title for both men.
Not only does the winner lift the trophy here but he will almost ensure qualification for the Tour Championship, the third leg of this series and of course if Dott is crowned the champion he will be handed a place in the Champion of Champions next season. This is a big match in its own right but it opens up a lot of doors for the winner.
Neil Robertson
The incredible form of Neil Robertson is showing no signs of ending, and for a third Sunday in succession he will be competing in a major final. He won the European Masters final two weeks ago without so much as dropping a frame and then went down to Judd Trump in the German Masters finale last week. He now goes in search of a third major title of the season, having previously won the Champion of Champions.
Although he keeps on winning though, I do believe Robertson has just tailed off the very top of his form in the last couple of matches. I don’t say that for no reason, but he hasn’t scored like we know he can since the interval in his quarter final and there are just the odd sign that he might be a little burnt out. You would think adrenalin and the occasion would get him through here, but it is something to look out for I think.
Graeme Dott
Full credit goes to Graeme Dott this week. There is a genuine argument to be made that he has been the best player on show at this tournament and it certainly wouldn’t be unjust if he goes on and wins the thing. Dott will be going in search of a first ranking event title in almost six years but he has played as well this week as he has at any time in that period, and the one thing we know about him is he hasn’t come this far to fold now.
There were signs that this was coming for the Scot. He made the semi-finals in Germany last week where it took a very good Judd Trump to beat him, and this week he has already seen off the threat of Ronnie O’Sullivan. Dott looks to be hitting the ball very crisply and scoring well, and we know he has a very astute tactical game. He’ll fancy the job in this final, especially as the fresher man of the two and if he settles early he should lay down a decent challenge.
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Head to Head
These two have met on 16 previous occasions with Robertson having the upper hand at 10 wins to six of Dott and he leads 91-74 in terms of the frame wins as well. Their biggest meeting came in the 2010 World Championship final which Robertson won 18-13. That was their only previous clash in a final. Robertson also won their most recent meeting on his way to the European Masters title, beating Dott 5-2 in the last 16. The Australian has won four of their last five battles overall so history is on his side.
Betting
It might be asking a little too much of Graeme Dott to actually win this match but the 3.5 frames he is getting on the handicaps are of more appeal. I really don’t see Dott folding in this match. He never wilted against Judd Trump last week and he has already beaten Ronnie O’Sullivan this week and you don’t do that if you are not feeling good about your game. I’ve also a hunch that Robertson might feel the pace a little in this match after two full on weeks of snooker.
I was weighing up taking over 16.5 frames in this final at a decent enough price but if you take Dott with the 3.5 frames start, although it is a shorter price, you’re not relying on Robertson winning seven frames and if Dott doesn’t win seven then whichever of the two bets we took would lose. Just in case Dott gets in front and pulls clear like Trump did against Robertson last week, I think the safer bet is Dott on the handicap.
Tips
WON – Back G.Dott (+3.5 frames) to beat N.Robertson for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Boylesports
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