'I dug deep' - Neil Robertson produces stunning comeback to deny John Higgins Tour Championship

Neil Robertson produced a stunning comeback to beat John Higgins in the final of the Tour Championship.

The Australian, who before the match had been described by both Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan as the "best player in the world" found himself in big trouble heading into the later stages of the match.

He trailed 5-3 after the opening session, and Higgins looked to be in an unassailable position when he led 9-4 and was just a solitary frame away from the title.

Robertson was not ready to vacate the title he won in 2021, though, and he reeled off six successive frames to record a barely believable 10-9 win.

"John was just completely outplaying me today," Robertson told ITV Sport. "I had to dig in, dig deep, and that's what I kept on doing.

"He was completely shutting me out; I didn't attempt one single long ball with my hand on the table up until it was 8-3.

"I wouldn't be as good a player as I am without the likes of John, Ronnie [O'Sullivan] and Mark [Williams].

"[John is] part of the problem because they've inspired so many younger players to pick up a cue and to dream."

Higgins, meanwhile, was typically graceful in defeat. However, he was left to rue a routine red in the final frame that proved vital.

"Neil came back and put me under unbelievable pressure; I just never stood up to it at the end," said Higgins.

"He played amazing stuff to come back at me, [but] there are worse things happen in life."

On the red, he added: "It's unforgivable; you cannot miss that red that I missed when I've got a chance to maybe get a few points on the board."